Psalm 138 begins, “I will praise thee with my whole heart….” (verse 1a) This Psalm is a psalm of David and its theme is the praise and glory of the Lord. What does it mean to praise the Lord with our whole heart? What will result when we praise the Lord with our whole heart?
1. We make manifest God’s marvelous works to others. “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.” (Psalm 9:1)
2. We praise God’s name. “I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” (Palm 9:2)
3. We glorify God’s name because of His salvation that He extends to us, “12) I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 13) For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.” (Psalm 86:12,13)
4. We bring blessing and honor to God for all the benefits He has bestowed upon us. “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.” (Psalm 103:1,2)
5. We magnify the Lord in the presence of God’s people. “1) Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2) The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3) His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.” (Psalm 111:1-3)
6. We edify other believers. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19)
Consider all the good things that happen when we praise the Lord with our whole heart. The Lord is very worthy of our praise. He is high above all and great and mighty and holy. Praise the Lord!