Higher Place Of Praise

CeCe Winans' “Higher Place Of Praise” describes a place that is blessed, where happiness is found and the rest of a Sabbath is enjoyed. The opening lines call it a higher place of praise and then admit that it is easy to lift hands and dance while only going through the motions.

The singer asks whether that kind of worship is victory and then says she has found a place on a much higher mountain. It wakes her in the early morning, and she knows it is Zion calling her into worship, giving her life daily. The next section says that in times of calm and in storm her spirit, soul and flesh need this place of praise. The verse reminds listeners that no flesh can glory in his presence and that his holy name is revered. The place is called precious, powerful and pure. The closing lines ask to be taken to higher ground and say that the brightness of God's face gives a higher praise, ending with a repeated wish to go higher. The gospel arrangement builds with the choir and the long vocal runs that suit CeCe's voice, and the words challenge listeners to check whether their worship has become routine. It is a good song for a service that wants to move from habit to real devotion.

Standing in his holy place is Psalm 24:3. Coming to Mount Zion is Hebrews 12:22, and worship in spirit and truth is John 4:24.