When you're up against a struggle
That shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed
By Satan's manifested schemes
And you feel the urge within you
To submit to earthly fears
Don't let the faith you're standing in
Seem to disappear
Praise the Lord
He can work through those
Who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord
For the chains that seems to bind you
Serve only to remind you
That they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him
Now Satan is a liar
And he wants to make us think
That we are paupers
When he knows himself
We're children of the King
So lift up the mighty shield of faith
For the battle must be won
We know that Jesus Christ has risen
So the work's already done
Praise the Lord
He can work through those
Who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord
For the chains that seems to bind you
Serve only to remind you
That they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him
Praise the Lord
He can work through those
Who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord
For the chains that seems to bind you
Serve only to remind you
That they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him
Praise Him, praise Him
When you praise Him
When you praise Him
When you praise the Lord
The Collingsworth Family - Praise the Lord
Praise The Lord Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The Collingsworth Family's song "Praise The Lord," presented in a video released on July 26, 2024, delivers a powerful message of faith and resilience in the face of adversity. The lyrics open by acknowledging the reality of life's struggles, including shattered dreams, cruel disappointments, and the manifestation of schemes designed to instill fear and diminish faith. It captures the internal battle one faces when challenged by overwhelming circumstances and the temptation to surrender to earthly anxieties, urging the listener not to let their foundation of faith disappear during these times.
The central theme and core instruction of the song is the command to "Praise the Lord." This act is presented not just as an expression of devotion but as a dynamic force. The lyrics convey that God actively works through those who offer Him praise. A significant biblical concept is highlighted: "our God inhabits praise," suggesting that offering praise creates a dwelling place or presence for God to act. The song uses the metaphor of chains that seem to bind, asserting that these very chains, when met with praise, serve only to remind the believer of their imminent release, dropping away powerlessly behind them. This illustrates the liberating effect of focused worship amidst confinement or difficulty.
Further exploring the source of struggle, the song identifies Satan as a deceiver who attempts to make believers feel like paupers, contradicting their true identity. The lyrics strongly affirm that believers are "children of the King," possessing an inheritance and identity far richer than what the adversary suggests. The song calls listeners to stand firm using the spiritual armament of faith, described as a "mighty shield." It declares that the spiritual battle must be won, grounded in the foundational truth of Jesus Christ's resurrection, which signifies that the ultimate victory, the essential "work," has already been accomplished through Him. This truth undergirds the call to praise, providing a foundation of already-secured victory.
The repetition of the chorus reinforces the centrality and transformative power of praise. It reiterates that praise is the pathway through which God works, that God's presence is found in praise, and that the apparent bonds of difficulty are broken when praise is offered. This consistent refrain serves as both a reminder and an encouragement, emphasizing that regardless of the challenge, the response of praising the Lord is effective and brings about divine intervention and freedom. The concluding lines underscore the timing of this act, highlighting that the power and freedom are experienced "when you praise Him."
The message conveyed aligns with numerous scriptural truths found in the Bible. The idea of enduring trials with faith echoes passages like James 1:2-4, which speaks of considering trials with joy because they develop perseverance. The declaration that "God inhabits praise" is directly rooted in Psalm 22:3. The concept of praise leading to deliverance in seemingly impossible situations finds parallel in accounts like Paul and Silas praising God in prison in Acts 16, which resulted in their chains falling off and the prison doors opening. The depiction of Satan as a liar and the use of the shield of faith are key elements in the description of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18. Affirming believers' identity as children of the King reflects truths in Romans 8:14-17 and Galatians 3:26. Finally, the assertion that the "work's already done" through Christ's resurrection points to the completed work of redemption and victory over sin and death, a central theme in passages like 1 Corinthians 15:57 and Romans 8:37, which state that believers are more than conquerors through Him. The song serves as an inspirational anthem, reminding listeners that praise is not merely a response to blessing but a powerful weapon and key to experiencing God's presence and victory in the midst of life's most challenging moments.