Rich Mullins - Praise To The Lord Lyrics
Lyrics
Praise to the Lord
Come on everybody
Stand up and sing one more "Hallelujah"
Give your praise to the Lord
I could never tell you just how much
Good that it's bound to do you
Just to sing
Anew
The song your heart learned to sing
When He first gave His life to you
Well life goes on and so must the song
You gotta sing again the song born in your soul when
You first gave your heart to Him
Sing His praises once more
Give your praise to the Lord
Come on everybody
Stand up and sing one more "Hallelujah"
Give your praise to the Lord
I could never tell you just how much
Good that it's bound to do you
Just to sing
Aloud the song that someone is dying
To hear down in the madding crowd
That you once were before you heard the song
You gotta let them know that the truth
Is a light to shine upon the way that maybe they can go
To sing His praises once more
Give your praise to the Lord
Come on everybody
Stand up and sing one more, "Hallelujah"
Give your praise to the Lord
I could never tell you just how much
Good that it's bound to do you
Just to sing (Sing sing sing)
The praises of the Lord (Sing sing sing)
And everybody sing (Sing sing sing)
The praises of the Lord (Sing sing sing)
From the rising of the sun
To the place where it sets
The name of the Lord is to be praised
The Lord is exalted over all the nations
And His glory above the heavens
And who is like the Lord our God
The One who sits enthroned on high
He who stoops to look down upon
Down upon the earth and its sky
And that is why you gotta give
Your praise to the Lord
Come on everybody
Stand up and sing one more "Hallelujah"
Give your praise to the Lord
I could never tell you just how much
Good that it's bound to do you
Just to let the name of the Lord
Be praised both for now and ever more
Praise Him oh ye servants
Praise the name of the Lord
Come on everybody
Stand up and sing one more "Hallelujah"
Give your praise to the Lord
I could never tell you just how much
Good that it's bound to do you
Just to sing (Sing sing sing)
The praises of the Lord (Sing sing sing)
And everybody sing (Sing sing sing)
The praises of the Lord (Sing sing sing)
Video
Rich Mullins - Sing Your Praise To The Lord
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on July 18, 1995, as part of his album *Songs*, Rich Mullins’ “Praise To The Lord” stands as a vibrant, rallying cry, characteristic of the raw honesty and theological depth that defined his ministry. Far from a mere hymn, this song is an impassioned invitation, a spiritual prompt for believers to actively engage in worship and to understand its profound implications for their personal walk and their calling to the world.
The core message of “Praise To The Lord” is twofold: a call to rekindle individual devotion and a charge to share that renewed faith with a seeking world. Mullins begins by urging us to "stand up and sing one more 'Hallelujah,'" implying that praise isn't a static emotion but a dynamic, often physical, act of will. He suggests a transformative power in this act, noting the "good that it's bound to do you." This resonates deeply with scriptural truths, such as Psalm 16:11, which speaks of fullness of joy in God's presence, or Nehemiah 8:10, where the joy of the Lord is our strength. The song challenges us to remember and revive "the song your heart learned to sing / When He first gave His life to you"—a direct reference to the initial spark of salvation and conversion, a 'first love' experience that, as Revelation 2:4 reminds us, can sometimes be lost and needs to be reclaimed. He emphasizes that "life goes on and so must the song," highlighting the continuous nature of faith and the daily necessity of returning to our spiritual foundations, not just resting on past experiences.
Beyond personal renewal, Mullins shifts the focus outward, embedding an unmistakable evangelistic mandate within the call to praise. He compels us to "sing aloud the song that someone is dying / To hear down in the madding crowd." This evocative imagery paints a picture of a world desperately in need of the hope and truth found in Christ. It’s a powerful reminder that our worship isn't just for our own benefit; it’s a beacon for others. He wisely connects this responsibility to our own past, acknowledging "that you once were before you heard the song," fostering empathy and a shared experience with those who are yet to know God. This aligns with Jesus' words in John 8:12, where He declares Himself the light of the world, and Matthew 5:14-16, which calls believers to be "the light of the world," letting their good deeds—including their praise and testimony—shine for others to see and glorify God. The song explicitly states the goal: to "let them know that the truth / Is a light to shine upon the way that maybe they can go," echoing how God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).
The theological foundation for this widespread call to praise is firmly established in the song’s powerful bridge, which directly incorporates or paraphrases verses from Psalm 113. Mullins declares, "From the rising of the sun / To the place where it sets / The name of the Lord is to be praised," directly quoting Psalm 113:3. He continues with the majestic truth that "The Lord is exalted over all the nations / And His glory above the heavens," mirroring Psalm 113:4. The profound question, "And who is like the Lord our God / The One who sits enthroned on high / He who stoops to look down upon / Down upon the earth and its sky," captures the essence of Psalm 113:5-6. This passage underscores the paradox of God's infinite majesty and His intimate concern for humanity. He is transcendent, sovereign over all creation, yet immanent enough to "stoop" and care for us. This inherent worthiness of God, demonstrated through His power and His condescending love, forms the irrefutable basis for our constant and communal praise. It’s not just a good idea; it is a rightful, biblical response to who God is.
“Praise To The Lord” ultimately serves as a timeless anthem, a summons to constant, active worship. It challenges us to examine our own spiritual vitality and to consider the ripple effect our praise can have. The repeated exhortation to "sing sing sing the praises of the Lord" becomes a compelling, almost rhythmic, command to embrace worship as a lifestyle. It’s a call to let the "name of the Lord / Be praised both for now and ever more," echoing Psalm 145:1-2, which speaks of praising God continually and forever. Mullins’ work here is a profound reminder that praise is not merely an emotion; it is a declaration, a testimony, and a foundational act of faith that both nourishes the individual spirit and broadcasts the hope of the Gospel to a world in need, fulfilling the command to "Praise Him oh ye servants," a clear allusion to Psalm 113:1. This song encourages a deeper understanding of praise as a journey of perpetual spiritual renewal and outward mission.