What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

What Does The Bible Say About Praise? This leads us to asking the question, what does it mean to praise God? Christians usually speak of “praising God.” The Bible even goes further to command all living creatures to praise the Lord God Almighty (Psalm 150:6). One of the Hebrew words for “praise” is yadah, meaning “praise, give thanks, or confess.” Zamar is a second Hebrew word often translated “Praise” in the Old Testament, meaning “sing praise.” Halal (the root of hallelujah) is the third word translated “praise,” meaning “to praise, honor, or commend.” All these three terms translated as “praise” in the English Language contain the idea of giving thanks and honor to one who is worthy of praise.

The Scriptural book of Psalms is a collection of songs filled with genuine praises to God for Who He Is and the mighty things He does. Among them, we can point to Psalm 9 which says, “I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High” (verse 2). Likewise, Psalm 18:3 says God is “worthy of praise.” Psalm 21:13 portrays praises to God for who He is and His great power: “Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your might.” Psalm 150 makes use of the term praise thirteen times in six verses. Here, the first verse tells us the “Where” of praise – everywhere! For it is our duty to praise God in His sanctuary, praise him in His mighty heavens, and praise Him everywhere in truth and spirit.

What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

The next verse in Psalm 150 teaches us about the “Why” to praise the Lord God Almighty. It says, “Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.” Verses 3-6 of Psalm 150 teaches us the “How” to praise our Lord God Almighty. It points to the use of a variety of instruments, dance, and everything that has breath. In fact, every means that we have to make sound is to be used to praise God. Our thoughts, words, and actions should reflect the praise of God. In everything we do, we should reflect our gratitude to God for His sovereign power and authority over heaven and earth. Every second of our lives gives us a reason to sing praises to God. For He is good and worthy of our praise.

What does the Scripture say about Praise?

The Scripture says much about praise and even portrays examples of praise. In the New Testament, we can find examples of praises given to Jesus. Matthew 21:16 recounts about the people who praised Jesus as he rode a donkey into Jerusalem. We can also read about the leper who bowed before Jesus to offer Him praise in Matthew 8:2. Matthew 28:17 tells us how the disciples of Jesus worshiped Him after His Resurrection. Behold, Jesus accepted praise and worship as God (John 20:28-29). The early church valued and often shared in times of praise. The Scripture tells us that the first church in Jerusalem included a focus on worship (Acts 2:42–43). The Bible tells us that when Paul and Barnabas were called into missionary work by God, the church leaders at Antioch prayed, worshiped, and fasted for God’s will to be accomplished.

Likewise, many of Apostle Paul’s letters to the Church included extended sections of praise to the Lord God Almighty (Philippians 1:3–11; 1 Timothy 3:14–16). The Scripture tells us that at the end of time, all of God’s people will join in eternal praise of His power, holiness, might, and goodness. Let’s support this spiritual truth by reading from Revelation 22:3 – “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.” That is, Christ will completely eradicate the curse of sin and those who are with the Lord God Almighty will forever praise Him in His perfection. Our praise of God on Earth is simply a preparation for the celebration of the Eternal Worship that will take place in God’s presence when Christ takes us to His presence.

What The Bible Says About Praise

Psalm 42:11 – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 139:13-14 – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well.”

Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”

Acts 16:25 – “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

Isaiah 25:1 – “Lord, you are my God;I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”

Revelation 5:13 – “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!””

Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”

Psalm 71:8 – “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.”

Psalm 103:1 – “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”

Psalm 9:1 – “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

Group 1 – What The Bible Says About Praise

Psalm 56:4 – “In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?“

Psalm 145:3 – “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

Colossians 3:16 – “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Psalm 105:1 – “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”

Psalm 63:3-4 – “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live,and in your name I will lift up my hands.”

Acts 2:46-47 – “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Psalm 34:1 – “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

Psalm 66:17 – “I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Romans 14:11 – “It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,‘every knee will bow before me;every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

Group 2 – What The Bible Says About Praise

Job 1:20-21 – “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Daniel 2:23 – “I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Isaiah 12:4 – “In that day you will say:“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.”

James 3:10 – “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

ALSO READ What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness of Sins?

Psalm 150:1-6 – “Praise the Lord, Praise God in his sanctuary, praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him according to his excellent greatness, Praise him with trumpet sound, praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance, praise him with strings and pipe, Praise him with sounding cymbals, praise him with loud clashing cymbals! …”

Luke 2:20 – “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Psalm 108:3 – “I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.”

Psalm 145:1 – “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.”

Psalm 119:7 – “I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.”

Group 3 – What The Bible Says About Praise

Psalm 103:2 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,”

Psalm 95:1-11 – “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. ...”

James 5:13 – “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”

Psalm 22:3 – “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”

Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

2 Samuel 22:50 – “For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.”

Psalm 24:8-10 – “Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!”

Mark 10:27 – Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Psalm 115:1 – “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”

Group 4 – What The Bible Says About Praise

Psalm 103:1-2 – “Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,”

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 – “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field, Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. …”

John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Psalm 91:1-16 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, …”

Group 5 – What The Bible Says About Praise

Psalm 144:1 – “Of David. Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;”

Psalm 1:1-6 – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; …”

Psalm 22:26 – “The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!”

Psalm 69:30 – “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

Psalm 34:2 – “My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.”

Ephesians 5:19 – “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,”

Hebrews 13:15 – “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

Group 6 – What The Bible Says About Praise

Psalm 100:1-5 – “A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Exodus 15:2 – “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

Deuteronomy 28:47-48 – “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.”

Luke 19:40 – He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

Psalm 103:1 – “Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”

Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Luke 10:27 – And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Psalm 34:1 – “Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Deuteronomy 10:21 – “He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.”

ALSO READ What is the Unpardonable Sin / Unforgivable Sin?

Psalm 29:2 – “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”

Luke 10:30-37 – Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. …”

Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

John 14:1-31 – ““Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” …”

John 4:23-24 – “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Ephesians 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”

Psalm 95:6 – “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

Psalm 101:1 – “A Psalm of David. I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.”

Psalm 104:33 – “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.”

Psalm 150:1 – “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!”

Psalm 8:2 – “Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.”

Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

Matthew 6:1-34 – ““Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. …”

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 – “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...”

Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

Psalm 103:1-22 – “Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, …”

Exodus 20:1-26 – “And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, …”

Psalm 92:1 – “A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;”

Psalm 147:1 – “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.”

Psalm 34:1-22 – “Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. ...”

Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

Psalm 7:17 – “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”

Psalm 29:1-11 – “A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. …”

John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Psalm 109:30 – “With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.”

Psalm 35:18 – “I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you.”

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Psalm 71:8 – “My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.”

Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

Daniel 4:37 – “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

Judges 5:3 – “Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing; I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

Psalm 99:5 – “Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!”

Daniel 2:23 – “To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Jeremiah 20:13 – “Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.”

Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

2 Samuel 22:4 – “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”

Hebrews 2:12 – Saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Psalm 96:1 – “Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!”

Psalm 43:4 – “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.”

Psalm 135:1 – “Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord,”

Psalm 68:4 – “Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him!”

1 Chronicles 16:9 – “Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”

1 Chronicles 29:13 – “And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”

Romans 14:11 – For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

Psalm 35:28 – “Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.”

Revelation 7:12 – Saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.“

Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

Acts 16:25 – “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,”

Matthew 5:1-48 – “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ...”

Revelation 5:12 – Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 105:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”

Matthew 26:52-54 – Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”

Psalm 105:2 – “Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”

Psalm 66:4 – “All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.”

Psalm 9:2 – “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

Matthew 21:16 – And they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

Psalm 106:1 – “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

1 Chronicles 16:8 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”

Romans 10:9 – “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Revelation 2:1-29 – ““To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. …”

Group 16 – What Does The Bible Say About Praise?

1 Chronicles 16:29 – “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;”

Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”

Psalm 95:1 – “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”

Jeremiah 17:14 – “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”

Psalm 98:1 – “A Psalm. Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”

Leviticus 26:1-46 – ““You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. …”