Psalm 61:5-8

    5      For You, O God, have heard my vows;
    You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
    6      You will prolong the king’s life,
    His years as many generations.
    7      He shall abide before God forever.
    Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!

    8      So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
    That I may daily perform my vows.
-Psalm 61:5-8

Upon coming to Christ we have vowed in our hearts that we are His. In performing such a vow, our minds must be occupied with Him. What better way to do this than through praise? Continuing with our theme of faith and humility through Psalm 61, this takes faith and humility. The nature of praise to God first requires us to believe He has worked, is working, and will yet work. Have you ever tried to compliment someone on something that you really didn't believe? It is awkward, weird, uncomfortable, and very shallow. So the same is with giving praise to the Lord if we do not believe He has done anything. It takes faith.

In addition to faith, the nature of praise is humble. It recognizes something or someone other than self. Praising the Lord is above all humble, for such praise can only be done in submission to Him. This attitude of praise sets our minds upon the Lord where we also perform in the same way we have done everything else this psalm has mentioned. We praise and perform through faith and humility. Do not stray from the importance of these two. Walk it out and give praise continually, for this is the will of God for your life.