In his closing words in the epistle to the Romans, Paul writes: “Give glory therefore to him through Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.” The psalmist picks it up from here in the responsorial psalm and blesses the name of the Lord. He uses these beautiful words; “I will bless you day after day and praise your name forever.” Paul invites us to praise the Lord of glory because, as a great missionary and seasoned intercessor, he knows the power of the sacrifice of praise.
Recall that Paul and Silas exploited the power of praise when they were arrested for the sake of the gospel and thrown into prison (Acts 16). One would have expected that after they were humiliated, stripped, beaten with rods, sustained wounds, chained and finally incarcerated with criminals, these two soldiers of Christ would have been discouraged or engaged in sending petitions for help to heaven. They did none of these but rather prepared their Lord a sacrifice of praise. They clapped, sang, and praised the name of their ever-faithful God. Their chains, as they were clapping and dancing, became for them tambourines and cymbals, harmonizing their songs into a sweet melody of praise. And that was the hammer. God came down with great might to receive praise but not without pressing home his character—deliverance.
Praise During Mass
The Church equally understands adequately the special place of praise and worship in her relationship with her bridegroom. Accordingly, she organizes her liturgy in such a way that it unites with the Church in heaven, the triumphant church, in the perpetual adoration of her Lord. The greatest act of worship the Church offers her Lord is the Holy Eucharist. It essentially means ‘thanksgiving’—a perfect sacrifice of praise.
In the introductory part of this sacred celebration, the Church gathers in worship chants. “Glory to God in the highest.” She sings this song with vibrating joy, accompanied with assorted musical instruments. This worship continues throughout the whole of the Eucharistic celebration but reaches its climax at consecration, which generally begins with the preface. “Father in heaven, it is right that we should give you thanks and glory”. This beautiful prayer of praise culminates in the melodious song of the angels. “Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might.” The worship goes on solemnly and dovetails into another chant of praise. “Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours Almighty Father forever and ever.” To conclude the entire celebration, the priest says to the congregation, “Go in the peace of Christ.” And the people of God respond, “Thanks be to God.” Worshipers leave the temple of the Lord with thanksgiving on their lips.
Liturgy of the Hours
The Church’s Liturgy of the Hours equally constitutes diverse chants of praise drawn from the psalms and biblical canticles. Although it also contains readings and petitions for different occasions, its basic undertone is praise and worship. An instance could be taken from the prayer that is known as the Te Deum (Thee, O God, we praise). It is a relatively long but beautiful prayer of praise, worship and thanksgiving in a single piece.
Through the structure of her liturgy, the Church teaches her children to learn to offer God a sacrifice of praise. This was the secret of the men and women of faith, who have gone before us. They knew how to address God and move him to mighty works through this wonderful offering. It is therefore sometimes preferable not to ‘bother’ God with long chains of petitions. Instead honor him with an oblation of praise.
