Lyrics
Verse 1 (x2)
I've had my share of ups and downs
Times when there was no one around
God came and spoke these words to me
Praise will confuse the enemy
Pre-Chorus
So I started singing, oh, oh (I started singing, I started clapping)
(I started dancing) people were laughing (people were laughing)
They knew my problems, they knew my pain
But I knew God would take them away, yeah
Verse 1 (Repeat)
I've had my share of ups and downs
Times when there was no one around
God came and spoke these words to me
Praise will confuse the enemy
Pre-Chorus (Repeat)
So I started singing, oh, oh (I started singing, I started clapping)
I started dancing, people were laughing (people were laughing)
They knew my problems, and they knew my pain
But I knew God would take them away
Chorus
That's why I praise Him with my hands
That's why I praise Him with a dance
He's given me a second chance
Come on let's praise Him in advance
That's why I praise Him with a song
When things are right and when they're wrong
For he's given me a second chance
Come on let's praise Him in advance
Vamp 1
Praise Him
Come on in here (praise Him)
Open your mouth (praise Him)
Bless the Lord (praise Him)
Praise Him (praise)
Come on praise (praise)
Come on and praise Him (praise Him in advance)
Everybody praise Him (praise Him)
Open your mouth (praise Him)
Can I come in? (Praise Him)
Tell your story (praise Him)
Bless him, baby (praise Him)
Come on everybody (praise Him)
Praise Him in advance
Vamp 2
Praise Him (praise Him)
In the good times (praise Him)
Praise Him (praise Him)
When things are going wrong (praise Him)
Praise Him (praise Him)
Come in here (praise Him)
Come on and praise Him in advance, oh
Praise Him (praise Him)
Bless the Lord (praise Him)
He is worthy (praise Him)
Come on in here (praise Him)
For my life (for my life)
I will praise Him
Praise Him in advance
Oh oh praise Him
When things are good (praise Him)
Praise Him (praise)
Trouble on every side (praise)
And when I'm broke (when I'm broken)
I will praise Him
Praise Him in advance, oh oh
Outro
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh oh oh oh
Come on and praise Him in advance
Come on, oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh oh oh oh
Come on and praise Him in advance, hey
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh oh oh oh
Come on and praise Him in advance
One more time, one more time
Oh oh (oh oh)
Sometimes I don't know the words to say (oh oh)
I say oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh (oh oh)
Oh oh oh oh oh
Come on and praise Him in advance
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Praise Him in Advance” by Marvin Sapp is a live gospel song about praising God before the answer arrives. The verse admits to ups and downs and times when no one was around, then says God spoke the words “praise will confuse the enemy.” The singer responds by singing, clapping and dancing, even while people laugh because they know his problems and pain.
The chorus gives the reasons: he praises with his hands, with a dance and with a song, when things are right and when they are wrong, because God has given him a second chance. The long vamp that follows turns into a call to the congregation to open their mouths, bless the Lord and tell their story.
The idea is close to Psalm 34:1, which blesses the Lord at all times, and Acts 16:25-26, where Paul and Silas sing in prison. Habakkuk 3:17-18 also rejoices in the Lord when things are lacking. The recording is mostly repeated praise, and it moves from testimony to shared worship.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times
- Acts 16:25-26 Paul and Silas praising in prison
- Habakkuk 3:17-18 Rejoicing in the Lord when things are lacking