The term "extols" is derived from the Hebrew word "rum," which means to lift up, exalt, or praise highly. In the context of the Bible, extolling is an act of worship and reverence, where believers lift up the name of God, acknowledging His greatness, majesty, and sovereignty. This act of praise is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the relationship between God and His people.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Psalms: The Book of Psalms frequently uses the concept of extolling God as an expression of worship and adoration. For instance, Psalm 30:1 states, "I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me." Here, the psalmist extols God for His deliverance and protection, recognizing His intervention in times of trouble.

2. Worship and Praise: Extolling is often associated with worship, where believers gather to praise God collectively. Psalm 145:1 declares, "I will exalt You, my God and King; I will bless Your name forever and ever." This verse highlights the eternal nature of praise, emphasizing that extolling God is not limited to a single moment but is a lifelong commitment.

3. Acknowledgment of God's Attributes: Extolling God involves recognizing His attributes, such as His holiness, power, and love. In Exodus 15:2 , after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang, "The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him." This song of praise extols God for His mighty acts and faithfulness.

4. Response to God's Works: The act of extolling is often a response to God's works and blessings. Psalm 34:3 invites others to join in this act of worship: "Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together." This communal aspect of extolling God underscores the importance of shared worship and the collective acknowledgment of His deeds.

5. New Testament Perspective: While the term "extols" is more prevalent in the Old Testament, the New Testament continues the theme of exalting God through Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:9-11 states, "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Here, the exaltation of Jesus is a central tenet of Christian faith, reflecting the ultimate act of extolling God through His Son.

Theological Significance

Extolling God is a vital aspect of Christian theology, emphasizing the believer's response to God's revelation and actions. It is an acknowledgment of His supreme authority and a declaration of His worthiness to be praised. This act of worship is not only a personal expression but also a communal one, where the body of Christ joins together to lift up the name of the Lord.

In summary, extolling is a profound expression of faith, rooted in the recognition of God's character and deeds. It is an integral part of the believer's life, reflecting a heart of gratitude and reverence towards the Creator.

You See by this what his Opinions are About Origen and Also About ...
... In the meantime let this be counted as demonstrated by what I have said above, that
he extols Origen's writings as in every way admirable, and declares that if ...
/.../23 you see by this.htm

Sweet Comfort for Feeble Saints
... Babbling fame ever loves to talk of one man or another. Some there be whose glory
it trumpets forth, and whose honor it extols above the heavens. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/sweet comfort for feeble saints.htm

First Sunday after Epiphany
... the Holy Spirit. That applauds and extols its works; this proclaims and
magnifies the grace of God, and his glory. That does not ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday after epiphany.htm

One who was not his Friend Would Probably Say to Him: Either ...
... In these he extols other traits of his character with extraordinary encomiums, and
praises to the sky his humility; but on his literary interests he writes as ...
/.../7 one who was not.htm

The Christ of M. Renan.
... say so in passing. We are not concerned with ourselves, however, but with
M. Renan and the principles he extols. From all that has ...
/.../the romance of m renan and the christ of the gospels/the christ of m renan.htm

From the Second Chapter.
... Therefore He extols those to whom He is writing; and to these men, being such and
so great, He promised the tree of life, which is in the paradise of His God. ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the second chapter.htm

Concerning "Perfect" and "One".
... For the Word of God predicates everything, singly and collectively, respecting the
Cause of all, and extols Him both as Perfect and as One [58] . ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput xiii concerning perfect and.htm

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and
in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.
... at the state of matrimony and gives occasion to speak of the same, you must well
understand and mark, first, how gloriously God honors and extols this estate ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not commit adultery.htm

Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Treasure Christians have in the ...
... 4. In this wise he extols to them the preaching of the Gospel (as indeed he does
on different occasions); his purpose is to induce them to regard it most ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/eighteenth sunday after trinity treasure.htm

Extols (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Extols (1 Occurrence). Luke 1:46
Then Mary said: "My soul extols the Lord, (WEY). ...
/e/extols.htm - 6k

Land (19790 Occurrences)
... This seems to be the fountain called "Capharnaum" by Josephus (BJ, III,
x, 8). This writer extols the productiveness of the plain. ...
/l/land.htm - 21k

Genneseret
... This seems to be the fountain called "Capharnaum" by Josephus (BJ, III,
x, 8). This writer extols the productiveness of the plain. ...
/g/genneseret.htm - 9k

Gennesaret (3 Occurrences)
... This seems to be the fountain called "Capharnaum" by Josephus (BJ, III,
x, 8). This writer extols the productiveness of the plain. ...
/g/gennesaret.htm - 11k

Extolling (4 Occurrences)

/e/extolling.htm - 7k

Extort (2 Occurrences)

/e/extort.htm - 7k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... Thus the king, in an epilogue, rightly extols himself as a shepherd of salvation,
as a helper of the oppressed, as an adviser of widows and orphans, in short ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Hammurabi
... Thus the king, in an epilogue, rightly extols himself as a shepherd of salvation,
as a helper of the oppressed, as an adviser of widows and orphans, in short ...
/h/hammurabi.htm - 47k

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