Introduction and Exhortation to Stir Yourself Up to Praise God

Of the Fourth Part of Prayer, which is Thanksgivings for the Mercies I have Received from God and the Many Favours of His I am Interested in and Have and Hope for Benefit by

My errand at the throne of grace is not only to seek the favour of God, but to give unto him the glory due unto his name, Psalm 29:2(KJV)  and that, not only by an awful adoration of his infinite perfections, but by a grateful acknowledgment of his goodness to me, which cannot indeed add any thing to his glory, but he is pleased to accept of it and to reckon himself glorified by it, if it comes from a heart that is humbly sensible of its own unworthiness to receive any favour from God, that values the gifts and loves the Giver of them.

I must stir up myself to praise God with the consideration both of the reason and of the encouragement I have to praise him.

I will sing unto the Lord a new song and his praise in the congregation of saints. O let Israel rejoice in him that made him, let the children of Zion be joyful in their King; Psalm 149:1-2(KJV) let the saints be joyful in glory, and let the high praises of God be in their hearts and in their mouths. Psalm 149:5-6(KJV)

While I live I will bless the Lord, and will sing praise unto my God while I have any being; Psalm 146:2(KJV) and when I have no being on earth, I hope to have a being in heaven, to be doing it better.

I am here through Jesus Christ to offer the sacrifice of praise to thee, which I desire to do continually, that is, the fruit of my lips giving thanks to thy name. Hebrews 13:15(KJV) And thou hast said that he that offers praise glorifies thee, Psalm 50:23(KJV) and that this also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns or hoofs. Psalm 69:31(KJV)

I will mention the loving-kindness of the Lord and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on me and the great goodness towards the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them, according to his mercies and according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7(KJV)