Russ Taff - Praise The Lord Lyrics

Praise The Lord

Praise The Lord Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

The song "Praise The Lord" by Russ Taff offers a powerful message of spiritual resilience and victory through active faith. It speaks directly to the experience of facing overwhelming struggles, shattered dreams, and the manipulative tactics of spiritual opposition, identified here as Satan's schemes. The opening lines acknowledge the real and intense pressure that can lead to fear and a feeling that one's faith is diminishing. This sets the stage for the song's central, emphatic response to such adversity.

Central to the song's message is the transformative power of praise. The lyrics assert that God actively works through those who praise Him, highlighting a dynamic connection between human expression of worship and divine action. The profound statement that "our God inhabits praise" suggests that praise creates an environment where God's presence is uniquely manifest and powerful. This presence is not merely passive but active, described as causing perceived "chains that seems to bind you" to lose their power and "drop powerless behind you" when praise is offered. This serves as both encouragement and a spiritual strategy. The song's release, as seen in the video context from October 5, 2012, continues to deliver this enduring message of hope and empowerment through worship.

The second verse expands on the nature of the spiritual conflict, identifying Satan as a deceiver who seeks to diminish believers' self-worth by portraying them as "paupers," contrary to their true identity as "children of the King." The song calls for the use of the "mighty shield of faith" as essential for the spiritual battle. It firmly grounds the assurance of victory not in personal strength but in the completed work of Jesus Christ. By stating that because "Jesus Christ has risen so the work's already done," the song emphasizes that the ultimate triumph over sin, death, and spiritual opposition has already been secured through Christ's resurrection, providing a foundation for believers to stand firm and claim that victory through faith and praise.

The themes explored in the lyrics resonate deeply with biblical concepts found throughout scripture. The reality of spiritual struggle and the schemes of the enemy are depicted in passages like Ephesians 6:11-12, which speaks of wrestling against spiritual forces, and 1 Peter 5:8, warning to be alert because the devil prowls. The importance of faith in overcoming adversity is a consistent biblical teaching, referenced in Hebrews 11:6 among many others. The idea that God's presence is associated with praise is often linked to interpretations of Psalm 22:3. The image of chains breaking and liberation through faith and divine intervention echoes accounts such as Paul and Silas praising God while imprisoned in Acts 16:25-26, resulting in their miraculous release. Furthermore, the identity of believers as "children of God" or "children of the King" is clearly established in scriptures like Romans 8:16-17 and 1 John 3:1. The call to use faith as a shield is found in Ephesians 6:16, part of the armor of God. Finally, the declaration that victory is assured because of Christ's resurrection aligns with the triumph described in 1 Corinthians 15:57 and Colossians 2:15.

In essence, "Praise The Lord" functions as an anthem of spiritual warfare and assurance. It confronts the reality of difficult circumstances and spiritual opposition head-on but immediately pivots to the solution: focused, faith-filled praise. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the central message that praise is not merely an emotional response but a powerful spiritual weapon and an act of faith that activates God's power, dismantles perceived limitations, and reminds believers of their secure standing and the victory already won through Christ. It is a clear call to shift focus from the problem to the power of God made available through worship.