Obviously this is a subject that is close to my heart. As a musician, I have been involved in praise and worship music along with Contemporary Christian music all of my life. I have seen first hand the powerful witness that well done Christian music has on new believers and “pre” believers in Jesus Christ.  Also, the strong ministry that Christian musicians have in the church, through praise and worship.

Here are a few of my favorite scriptures concerning singing praise, from the Apostle Paul, encouraging the Colossians.

Col 3:16-17

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Paul again writes a very similar passage to the Ephisians.

Eph 5:17-21

17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

I think that a natural by product of letting the word dwell richly in us is singing and making melody in our hearts, praise and worship just naturally springing out of us. This is the same Paul who, with Silas, prayed and sang in prison, which ultimately lead to their jailers salvation.

Acts 16:22-30

22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.30 And he brought them out and said,” Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Praise and Worship leads to the new birth, becoming “Born Again.” Praise and Worship accompanies healing, deliverance, and outpourings of grace and mercy in our times of need.

Praise and Worship is a heart attitude and a spiritual endeavor, but don’t get all religious about it. I encourage people that I know to just sing out, go for it, JUST DO IT! Consider what our Lord said to the woman at the well.

John 4:23-24

23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

If you are a born again spirit filled believer in Jesus Christ, you can easily worship Him in spirit and in truth, you are just the person to do it! Just open your mouth and let it come out. Don’t be concerned with how it feels, or if your emotions are not in to it at the moment. Start to sing that praise song, and you emotions and feelings will quickly line up.

Of course, some of the most powerful scriptures concerning praise and worship are found in the Psalms. Notice the power of the Lords Grace and Mercy toward us in this scripture.

Ps 32:7

7 You are my hiding place;

You shall preserve me from trouble;

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.

Ps 7:17

17 I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness,

And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Ps 33:1-3

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!

For praise from the upright is beautiful.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;

Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.

3 Sing to Him a new song;

Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

Ps 34:1-3

I will bless the LORD at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

Ps 40:3

3 He has put a new song in my mouth --

Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear,

And will trust in the LORD.

Heb 13:15-16

15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Praise and worship leads to thanksgiving, which is a powerful antidote for anxiety and worry.