Paul speaks about this kind of praise-full proclamation [of God's goodness] in Colossians 3:16 and explains how it functions in the church. He says: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you and hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” The last clause could also be translated: “as you sing about God with Spirit-produced psalms and hymns and songs with grace in your hearts.” Praise begins with Christ himself. Through his word, the message of the gospel, he teaches us God’s grace and speaks that grace to us. By his word he gives us the reason for our praise and its content. And more than that, he actually produces our praise by giving us his Holy Spirit through his word. So then, the more Christ’s word dwells in a congregation, the richer and fuller its praise. This affects us corporately and personally. On the one hand, by the use of songs that are inspired by God’s word and full of the gospel we teach and admonish each other to take in God’s grace and to praise him for his grace. We therefore proclaim the gospel to each other in our songs of praise. On the other hand, as we sing the psalms and hymns and songs that the Holy Spirit generates, Christ plants his word deeper and deeper into the hearts of each person. The sung word imbeds God’s grace there, so that it can bear its full fruit in our lives. That grace produces thankfulness, a sense of overwhelming gratitude at the generosity of God. That, in turn, issues in greater praise.
John W Kleinig, "What's the Use of Praising God?" Lutheran Theological Journal 38/2 (2004)
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