How many times is praise mentioned in the Bible?
The word praise appears 246 times in the King James Version, in 214 verses. Counting every form (praise, praises, praised, praising), it appears 311 times in 266 verses across 32 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses praise 227 times (306 with every form).
Praise in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of praise counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| praise | 246 | 227 |
| praises | 29 | 43 |
| praised | 26 | 25 |
| praising | 10 | 11 |
| Total | 311 | 306 |
Which books mention praise most
Praise appears in 32 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Psalms has the most (187), then Isaiah (18) and 2 Chronicles (16).
Also in: John (3), Romans (3), Ephesians (3), Genesis (2), Deuteronomy (2), Zephaniah (2), Philippians (2), Hebrews (2), Exodus (1), Leviticus (1), Ecclesiastes (1), Song of Solomon (1), Joel (1), Habakkuk (1), Matthew (1), 2 Corinthians (1), Revelation (1).
First and last mention of praise
And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
The verse that uses it most is Psalm 47:6, 4 times:
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Where the two translations differ
31 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 28 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Judges 5:2: counted in the KJV only
Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
“Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, Yahweh!
2 Chronicles 7:3: counted in the KJV only
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and Yahweh’s glory was on the house. They bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, worshiped, and gave thanks to Yahweh, saying, “For he is good; for his loving kindness endures for ever.”
Genesis 12:15: counted in the World English Bible only
The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
Exodus 15:2: counted in the World English Bible only
The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Verses with praise on our topic pages
47 verses that use praise in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
On: Worry, Hard Times, Honesty, Integrity
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.
On: Hope, Depression, Mental Health
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
Yahweh, you are my God. I will exalt you! I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago, in complete faithfulness and truth.
On: Trust, Worship, Faithfulness
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.
Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to Yah, his name! Rejoice before him!
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.
On: Gratitude, Thanksgiving
Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits;
On: Healing, Forgiveness
Praise Yahweh! Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
On: Gratitude, Thanksgiving
Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
On: Gratitude, Thanksgiving
Common questions
How many times is praise in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 276 of the 311 uses are in the Old Testament and 35 in the New Testament. Praise appears in 32 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Psalms has the most (187), then Isaiah (18) and 2 Chronicles (16).
Where is praise first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Genesis 29:35: "And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing." The last is Revelation 19:5.
More word counts: sabbath, tithe, marriage, divorce, healing, strength, courage, pride, or all 107 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-02.