On Sunday, Christians all over the world will celebrate the coming of Christ to Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. The only Gospel to mention palms is John, with the others mentioning branches and cloaks, but many churches will have children waving them and cheering as part of the service.
Palm Sunday's celebration is overshadowed by the thought of the coming Good Friday. But it still has its place in the story of our salvation, and we can join wholeheartedly in the rejoicing of the people at the coming of their king.
Here are eight Bible verses about praise.
1. He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes (Deuteronomy 10:21).
2. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! (Deuternomy 32:3).
3. Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the Lord; I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song (Judges 5:3).
4. The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Saviour! (2 Samuel 22:47).
5. Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done (1 Chronicles 16:8).
6. I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).
7. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him – may your hearts live forever! (Psalm 22:26).
8. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God (Psalm 43:5).
