Our Need for Private Praise
“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.”
— Psalm 71:23, ESV
One area we must recover as Christ followers is private, out-loud praise—not just listening to Christian music, but lifting our own voices to Yahweh in song.
To help with this, I’ve compiled a resource called the Strong Song Songbook, filled with 102 hymns, choruses, and spiritual songs—each paired with meaningful Scripture. The title comes from Exodus 15:2:
“The Lord is my strength and my song…”
If you’d like a copy, just send me your mailing address and I’ll send it free of charge.
Singing for the Audience of One
I’ve been singing from this book out loud—while driving, in my study, or even while doing yard work. At first it felt a little awkward… but then came the joy.
There’s something powerful about hearing your own voice declare Truth back to God. You’re not performing for anyone. It’s just you and the King.
What I Learned from the Chinese Church
The other week I pulled a book off my shelf called The Jesus Family in Communist China by Dr. D. Vaughan Rees. It tells the story of an indigenous, self-sustaining church movement that flourished under severe persecution in the late 1940s.
Here’s what struck me:
These humble believers had no buildings, no programs, and often no Bibles. But they sang. They sang while they worked. The children sang. And in private gatherings, when the risk of arrest was high, they would mouth the words of hymns in complete silence—yet with overflowing joy on their faces.
Their praise was real. And it was powerful.
Alan Hirsch, a modern missiologist, writes:
“The real test of any church is not how many people you can gather, but how many disciples you can send, and how well they can function when they get there.”
And when it comes to church health under pressure, Roland Allen, the early 20th-century missionary to China, defined an indigenous church as one that is:
“Self-supporting, self-governing, and self-propagating.”
That’s what the Jesus Family was. They were rooted, resilient, and radically reliant on the Spirit. And their praise never stopped.
Do You Talk to Yourself?
The Psalmist did.
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!”
— Psalm 146:1, NKJV
He literally commanded himself to praise God. When you say “Praise the Lord,” it’s not just a Christian catchphrase. It’s a call to speak out loud:
“Lord, You are merciful. You are holy. You are faithful. You are just.”
Praise is never silent. It’s always vocal, always heard.
From the Strong Song Songbook
In the back of the Songbook, I’ve included commentary on issues like:
- Music styles in church
- The so-called “worship wars”
- Solutions for music-related tension
- The volume and substance of praise
A few convictions I hold:
- Instruments should support the voice of the people—not overpower it.
- Songs must be rooted in Scripture and filled with Truth.
- Musical variety in church is a reflection of the holiness and creativity of God.
“I will worship toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.”
— Psalm 138:2, LSB
Praise Should Unify, Not Divide
Too often, churches divide services by music style—traditional hymns here, contemporary praise over there. This approach can unintentionally hinder the unity of the Body and isolate generations from one another.
Ephesians 5:19 reminds us:
“…speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
All three musical expressions—psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—are biblical. We need them all.
Holiness means “set apart.” And what sets Yahweh apart is not one attribute—but the perfect harmony of all His attributes. Our praise should reflect that kind of divine diversity.
“Each one has received a gift… as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
— 1 Peter 4:10, NASB
Why Worship Wars Happen
Charles Spurgeon once called music ministry “the war department of the church.”
Here are two common reasons why:
1. Musical Memory
We grow attached to the music style we first worshipped with—whether it was hymns, gospel, or contemporary. That sound becomes sacred to us.
2. Emotional Imprinting
Music connects deeply to spiritual transformation. We associate melodies and lyrics with moments of surrender, healing, or joy in Christ. That connection is meaningful—but not always shared across generations.
Let’s hold our musical preferences with open hands, not closed fists. What matters is who we’re praising, not how we’re praising.
Action Steps for the Week
- Increase your private praise. Start by singing one song out loud today.
- Request my Songbook—I’ll send it to you for free. Just ask.
- Reflect on this: When you say “Praise the Lord,” do you obey the command?
- Share this article with your church’s praise leader and ask what stood out to them.
And I’d love to hear from you directly:
- What did you learn about the holiness of God?
- What resonated with you about the worship wars?
- How did it feel to hear your own voice praise God?
Call me anytime: 503-957-4547
Closing Scriptures
“May all who are godly rejoice in the LORD and praise His holy name!”
— Psalm 97:12, NLT
“The LORD is my strength and my shield… with my song I will praise Him.”
— Psalm 28:7, KJV
“Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.”
— Psalm 33:1, KJV
“Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!”
— Psalm 104:35, NKJV
Praising Yahweh God with you,
—Dale