I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Why should we declare the goodness of God?

Recognizing God's Goodness

Sometimes we need to make a conscious effort to think of the goodness of God and praise Him (Philippians 4:8). Even if everything is not exactly like we prefer in our lives, if we read the word, and if we sit and think of the past, and even if we think of the present, there is something good to praise God for. We do not praise God for a "perfect" problem-free life, but we praise Him for His perfection and presence in our lives as we become perfect in Him (Matthew 5:48, Hebrews 6:1, 13:20-21). Psalm 40:5 speaks of innumerable wonderful works of God. Psalm 66:5 invites us to come and see the works of God, and verse 16 invites all to come and hear; I will declare what he has done for my soul. Sharing good news can bring comfort and cheer to others. Hearing or reading about the goodness of God can take our minds off trouble, encourage us, and shift us into an atmosphere of praise and worship.

Sharing the Goodness of God

God is worthy to be praised (Psalm 18:3), and praise is beautiful coming from the upright (Psalm 33:1 NKJV). Psalm 111:1 says I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. When we declare God's goodness, we are really inviting others to rejoice and praise God with us. Psalm 34:3 says O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Isaiah 52:9 tells us to break forth into joy, sing together...Psalm 78:4 says ...showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he has done. We weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). Psalm 40:3 says And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. So, sharing the goodness of the Lord can encourage someone else to trust in God also.

Rejoicing is part of worship

Psalm 66:2 tells us to make His praise glorious. Praise may require some effort on our part, but praising and rejoicing are what we should do, even if we do not feel like praising God. Psalm 149:6 says let the high praises of God be in their mouth... Proverbs 15:22 and 17:22 tell us that a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance and is like a medicine. Isaiah 61:3 says that God will give us the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Psalm 100 tells us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, serve the Lord with gladness, come before his presence with singing, enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

In conclusion

The Bible encourages us to share the news of God's blessings and to rejoice with others; thus, sharing and praising are a part of the ordinary behavior for the Christian. In sharing and rejoicing, we give God glory that is due to his name as we are instructed in Psalm 105:3.