Characteristics of People of Praise in Scripture
People of praise in Scripture are characterized by their devotion to God, expressed through various virtues and actions. The very name "Ammihud" means "people of praise," suggesting that praise is a defining characteristic of God's people [1]. Similarly, "Ithream" signifies "excellence of the people," implying that such excellence is tied to their identity [4].
A primary characteristic of those who praise God is their recognition of His worthiness. God is worthy of praise for His majesty, glory, excellency, greatness, holiness, wisdom, power, goodness, and mercy [5]. Christ is also worthy of praise [5]. This praise is not for God's benefit, but for the benefit of those who offer it, as it leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's nature [10]. Augustine notes that "glory is the generally diffused and accepted fame of any one accompanied with praise," and that praising what is good benefits the praiser, not the praised [10]. He further states that God's praise will continue eternally where there is full knowledge of Him [14].
Humility is another key trait of people who praise God. Humility is necessary for serving God and is exemplified by Christ [2]. Saints are characterized by humility, and God regards, hears, and enjoys the presence of the humble [2]. Those who are humble are delivered, lifted up, and exalted by God, and they receive more grace [2]. Conversely, ingratitude is a characteristic of the wicked, which saints should avoid [3].
Faithfulness is also central to the character of those who praise God. This faithfulness is demonstrated in the service of God, in declaring His word, in caring for dedicated things, in helping others, and in bearing witness [6]. It extends to keeping secrets, conveying messages, and being faithful in all matters, even the smallest [6]. The Bible encourages faithfulness "to death" [6].
The Psalms frequently call for praise, emphasizing God's mighty acts and excellent greatness [7, 8]. Those who learn to acclaim God are blessed and walk in the light of His presence [9]. Matthew Henry notes that people of God are praised because their glory comes from God and returns to Him, and that their happiness is due to God's grace [12]. The servants of the Lord, including priests and Levites, are specifically called to praise God's name, not only for what He has done for them but for who He is and what He has done for others [13].
In the Babylonian Talmud, the act of praise can even extend to accepting suffering, as it is stated, "For You silence is praise, O God in Zion, and to You shall the vow be performed" (Psalms 65:2). This suggests that one can praise God even in silence and for their sufferings, viewing it as an atonement for sin [11].
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Ammihud — people of praise”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ingratitude — A characteristic of the wicked -- Ps 38:20; 2Ti 3:2. Often exhibited By relations. -- Job 19:14. By servants. -- Job 19:15,16. To benefactors. -- Ps 109:5; Ec 9:15. To friends in distress. -- Ps 38:11. Saints should avoid the guilt of -- Ps 7:4,5. Should be met with Prayers. -- Ps 35:12,13; 109:4. Faithfulness. -- Ge 31:38-42. Persevering love. -- 2Co 12:15. Punishment of -- Pr 17:13; Jer 18:20,21. Exemplified Laban. -- Ge 31:6,7. Chief butler. -- Ge 40:23. Israel. -- Ex 17:4. Men of Keilah. -- 1Sa 23:5,12. Saul. -- 1Sa 24:17. Nabal. -- 1Sa 25:5-11,21. ”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Ithream — excellence of the people”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Faithfulness — A characteristic of saints -- Eph 1:1; Col 1:2; 1Ti 6:2; Re 17:14. Exhibited in The service of God. -- Mt 24:45. Declaring the word of God. -- Jer 23:28; 2Co 2:17; 4:2. The care of dedicated things. -- 2Ch 31:12. Helping the brethren. -- 3Jo 1:5. Bearing witness. -- Pr 14:5. Reproving others. -- Pr 27:6; Ps 141:5. Situations of trust. -- 2Ki 12:15; Ne 13:13; Ac 6:1-3. Doing work. -- 2Ch 34:12. Keeping secrets. -- Pr 11:13. Conveying messages. -- Pr 13:17; 25:13. All things. -- 1Ti 3:11. The smallest matters. -- Lu 16:10-12. Should be to death -- Re 2:1”
- Psalms “Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness! -- Psalms 150:2”
- Psalms “Psalms 106:2 (BSB) — Who can describe the mighty acts of the LORD or fully proclaim His praise?”
- Psalms “Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh. -- Psalms 89:15”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XVI. 13-15 (continued). (part 2): brightness; and hence what is signified by both words, is one and the same thing. And, as the most famous writers of the Latin tongue in olden time have defined it, glory is the generally diffused and accepted fame of any one accompanied with praise. But when this happened in the world in regard to Christ, we are not to suppose that it was the bestowing of any great thing on Christ, but on the world. For to praise what is good is not of benefit to that which receives, but to those who give the commendation. 2”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Eruvin 19a.3: But the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He is that one is willingly silent when he is sentenced to death by the Omnipresent, as it is stated: “For You silence is praise, O God in Zion, and to You shall the vow be performed” (Psalms 65:2). And what is more, he praises God for his sufferings, as it is stated: “Praise.” And what is more, it appears to him as though he were offering a sacrifice in atonement for his sin, as it is stated: “And to You shall the vow be performed.””
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 112:1: The psalmist begins with a call to us to praise God, but immediately applies himself to praise the people of God; for whatever glory is acknowledged to be on them it comes from God, and must return to him; as he is their praise, so they are his. We have reason to praise the Lord that there are a people in the world who fear him and serve him, and that they are a happy people, both which are owing entirely to the grace of God. Now here we have, I. A description of those who are here pronounced blessed, and to whom these promises are made. 1. They are well-principl”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 135:1: Here is, 1. The duty we are called to - to praise the Lord, to praise his name; praise him, and again praise him. We must not only thank him for what he has done for us, but praise him for what he is in himself and has done for others; take all occasions to speak well of God and to give his truths and ways a good word. 2. The persons that are called upon to do this - the servants of the Lord, the priests and Levites that stand in his house, and all the devout and pious Israelites that stand in the courts of his house to worship there, Psa 135:2. Those that have m”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XVII. 1-5. (part 3): Glory is the widely-spread fame of any one accompanied with praise. But if a man is praised when the fame regarding him is believed, how will God be praised when He Himself shall be seen? Hence it is said in Scripture, "Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; they will be praising Thee for ever and ever."(5) There will God's praise continue without end, where there shall be the full knowledge of God; and because the full knowledge, therefore also the complete effulgence or glorification. 4. But God is first of all glori”