In the Bible, to extol means to praise or exalt someone or something, often referring to the act of glorifying God for His attributes, deeds, and mercy. It reflects a deep admiration and reverence, as seen in verses such as Psalm 34:3, where believers are encouraged to “extol the Lord with me.”
Scripture
1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
Meaning of “Extol” in the Bible
The concept of extolling in the Bible encompasses a profound response of worship and adoration towards God, acknowledging His greatness and divine nature. This calling to exaltation is evident in numerous passages, such as Psalm 145:1-2, where the psalmist declares, “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.” Here, the act of extolling is not merely a fleeting expression but a continuous commitment to recognize God’s sovereignty and grace in all circumstances of life. It signifies a deep relational understanding of who God is, inviting the faithful to participate in a communal act of worship, as seen in Psalm 34:3—“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
Extolling God also plays a crucial role in the believer’s life as a form of spiritual declaration that can foster both personal and communal faith. For instance, in 1 Chronicles 16:25, it states, “For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.” This reflects an acknowledgment of God’s supremacy not just as a statement of fact but as an essential practice in the life of the believer that cultivates joy and gratitude. Furthermore, Isaiah 12:4 encourages believers to proclaim God’s deeds among the nations, reinforcing the idea that extolling God serves the dual purpose of personal edification and public witness. Thus, extolling becomes an integral aspect of faith that nurtures one’s spirit while simultaneously heralding God’s glory to the world. Through extolling, believers actively participate in the unfolding of God’s glory, thereby reaffirming their connection to the divine and fostering a deeper community of faith.
The significance of extolling God extends throughout biblical literature, serving as a vital framework for believers’ expressions of worship and adoration. In various contexts, the act of exalting God denotes recognizing His attributes, such as His mercy, love, and power, which fosters a deeper understanding of His character among the faithful. For example, the Psalms often encapsulate the richness of extolling through vibrant imagery and poetry. In these texts, the psalmists not only recount historical acts of salvation and deliverance but also evoke emotional responses that reflect their awe of God’s eternal faithfulness and righteousness. By doing so, they invite others to join in a communal celebration of God’s attributes, further enhancing the sense of community among worshippers.
Extolling God also reinforces the idea of reliance and dependence on Him. The act of lifting up God’s name in praise serves as a reminder to the faithful of their need for divine support and guidance in their daily lives. When believers extol God, they engage in an intentional practice that positions Him above their challenges and circumstances, evoking a sense of peace and hope. Moreover, the prophetic voices throughout the Old Testament emphasize the importance of praising God for His justice and mercy, encouraging both personal worship and corporate remembrance of His unchanging nature. This recognition not only enhances individual spiritual growth but also promotes a collective identity rooted in the transformative power of God’s grace. Thus, the biblical theme of extolling God transcends mere praise; it is a powerful declaration of faith that shapes both personal and communal relationships with the divine.
The Act of Praise and Worship
In the Bible, to extol means to lift up in praise and worship, often directed towards God. This act signifies a deep reverence and admiration for God’s attributes, such as His greatness, mercy, and power. Extolling God is not merely a verbal expression; it encompasses a heartfelt acknowledgment of His divine nature and the recognition of His sovereignty over all creation. This act of worship serves to strengthen the believer’s relationship with God and fosters a communal spirit among worshippers.
A Call to Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty
Extolling God also serves as a reminder of His ultimate authority and control over the universe. By extolling Him, believers affirm their trust in His plans and purposes, recognizing that He is worthy of honor and glory. This acknowledgment encourages individuals to submit to His will and to find comfort in His guidance, especially during challenging times. It reinforces the belief that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, deserving of their highest praise and devotion.
Encouragement for Community and Fellowship
Extolling God is often a communal activity, encouraging believers to come together in fellowship. This collective act of praise not only strengthens individual faith but also builds a sense of unity within the community of believers. When people extol God together, they share in the joy of worship and create an environment that fosters spiritual growth and mutual support. This communal aspect highlights the importance of worship as a shared experience that can uplift and inspire the faith of others.
How to Cultivate a Deeper Faith in God
Cultivating a deeper faith in God is a journey that requires intentionality and openness to His presence in our lives. Start by setting aside dedicated time for prayer and reflection, allowing yourself to truly listen for His voice amidst the noise of daily life. Engage with Scripture not just as a text to be read, but as a living conversation with God—ask questions, seek understanding, and let His words resonate in your heart. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can encourage and challenge you, sharing in both the joys and struggles of faith. Remember, faith is not a destination but a dynamic relationship; embrace the doubts and questions as part of your growth, and trust that God is with you every step of the way. As you seek Him earnestly, you’ll find that your faith deepens, transforming not just your understanding of Him, but also your experience of life itself.
Bible References to the Meaning of Extol:
Psalm 34:1-3: 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
Psalm 30:1-3: 1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Psalm 66:8-12: 8 Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard.
9 who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.
10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
Psalm 99:1-5: 1 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
Psalm 118:28-29: 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 138:1-3: 1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.
Psalm 103:1-5: 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 108:1-5: 1 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
Psalm 113:1-3: 1 Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!
Psalm 117:1-2: 1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!
2 For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 29:1-2: 1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
Psalm 96:1-4: 1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord; bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
Psalm 150:1-6: 1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with the lute and harp!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Isaiah 25:1-3: 1 O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
2 For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin; the foreigners’ palace is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.
3 Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
Isaiah 12:4-6: 4 And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.”
6 “Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Daniel 4:34-37: 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Luke 1:46-55: 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
Philippians 2:9-11: 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Revelation 5:11-14: 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.