“I Love to Praise Him,” performed by Mosie Burks with the Mississippi Mass Choir, is a spirited gospel anthem that exudes fervent worship and devotion to Jesus Christ. While often associated with the choir’s 2011 album Then Sings My Soul, the song’s roots trace back to earlier performances, with some sources suggesting its prominence in the choir’s repertoire by the early 1990s, around 1992, during Burks’ rise as a lead soloist. The track, a high-energy arrangement by Rev. Milton Biggham of Jessy Dixon’s original composition “I Love to Praise His Name,” runs approximately 5 minutes and features Burks’ commanding, soul-stirring vocals backed by the choir’s robust harmonies and a lively brass section. Its call-and-response structure and hand-clapping rhythm make it a quintessential example of traditional African American gospel, inviting communal participation. The song’s core message centers on the joy of praising God, with lyrics repeatedly affirming the singer’s love for exalting Jesus’ name. Its electrifying energy, as noted in Gospel Music Fever, has made it a beloved staple in gospel circles, often moving audiences to spontaneous worship.
---> Scroll down for the VIDEO
Inspiration and Context of the Song’s Creation
The creation of “I Love to Praise Him” is deeply rooted in the African American gospel tradition, particularly the Mississippi Mass Choir’s mission to preserve and elevate traditional gospel music. Founded in 1988 by Frank Williams, a member of the Jackson Southernaires and a producer at Malaco Records, the choir aimed to deliver the raw energy of church worship to global audiences. By the early 1990s, when this song was likely performed under Burks’ lead, the choir had established itself as a powerhouse, with its first six albums topping Billboard’s gospel charts. The song, arranged by Rev. Milton Biggham, builds on Jessy Dixon’s original composition, infusing it with the choir’s signature high-octane style and Burks’ vibrant delivery, as highlighted by Gospel Music Fever. Its release or performance during this period reflects the choir’s commitment to spreading messages of worship and faith during a time of social and economic challenges for African American communities.
Mosie Burks, born June 17, 1933, in Forest, Mississippi, brought a profound personal narrative to the song. As the third of 13 children in a migrant farming family, she endured a childhood of picking cotton under harsh conditions, escaping fieldwork after frequent fainting spells. Her early exposure to gospel music through the Church of God in Christ, inspired by Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, led her to play guitar and sing in church by age 12. After moving to Jackson, Mississippi, Burks worked as a maid and at South Central Bell for over 20 years while raising her siblings and children following her mother’s death at age 40 and her first husband’s passing in 1984. Initially reluctant to join the Mississippi Mass Choir, she was persuaded by Katrina Williams, Frank’s widow, after his death in 1993, with the provision that her second husband, Willie, whom she married in 1992, could travel with the choir. This context of resilience and faith likely fueled Burks’ passionate performance, making “I Love to Praise Him” a testament to her lifelong devotion to worship.
---> Scroll down for the VIDEO
The song’s inspiration draws from biblical calls to praise, such as Psalm 34:1 (“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth”) and Hebrews 13:15 (“Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise”). These scriptures, central to African American worship, resonate with the song’s exuberant tone. The early 1990s were marked by ongoing struggles for African American communities, including economic disparities and systemic injustices. Gospel music, as a historical source of hope and resistance, provided a platform for expressing divine joy and strength. “I Love to Praise Him” emerged as a vibrant expression of this tradition, its repetitive affirmations and lively arrangement echoing the communal worship of spirituals. Its performance by the Mississippi Mass Choir, which toured globally, including for Pope John Paul II, and its recording by Malaco Records, a label dedicated to Southern gospel, underscore its cultural and spiritual significance.
Themes and Messages Conveyed Through the Song
The lyrical content of “I Love to Praise Him” is a fervent celebration of worship, joy, and devotion to Jesus Christ. The song’s structure, with its repetitive refrains and call-and-response format, amplifies its emotional and spiritual impact, fostering communal participation. Lyrics, as documented on Genius Lyrics, center on the repeated declaration, “I love to praise Him, I love to praise His name,” emphasizing the singer’s unceasing desire to exalt God. Burks’ anointed delivery, described as “thunderous with conviction” by uGospel.com, combined with the choir’s spirited harmonies and brass accompaniment, creates an atmosphere of triumphant worship that often prompted audiences to rise spontaneously, as noted by choir director Jerry Mannery.
Joyful Worship and Adoration
The central theme of “I Love to Praise Him” is the joy of worshiping Jesus Christ. The repeated refrain, “I love to praise His name,” reflects a heartfelt adoration rooted in Christian theology, particularly the African American tradition of expressive praise. This theme aligns with Psalm 34:1, which calls for continual blessing of the Lord. Burks’ performance, marked by her craggy alto tones and unrestrained energy, conveys a contagious enthusiasm that invites listeners to join in worship. Her ability to embody the song’s message, as noted in Toward Beauty, stems from her “unrestrained and unselfconscious authenticity,” making her a conduit for divine connection. The song’s upbeat tempo and hand-clapping rhythm enhance this sense of joy, creating a celebratory atmosphere that mirrors the vibrancy of African American church services.
Spiritual Resilience and Faith
The song also conveys spiritual resilience, as praising God is framed as an act of faith that sustains believers through trials. Burks’ own life—marked by poverty, loss, and decades of labor—lends authenticity to this message. Her performance transforms personal testimony into a universal call to worship, encouraging listeners to find strength in praising God despite hardships. The lyrics’ focus on continual praise, as noted in Genius Lyrics, suggests that worship is not contingent on circumstances but is a steadfast expression of trust in God’s goodness. This theme would have resonated with the choir’s audience, many of whom faced economic and social challenges in the early 1990s. Burks’ electrifying delivery, even in her 60s, as highlighted in 66 Assurance Way, defies physical limitations, embodying the resilience her voice proclaims.
Communal Worship and Unity
The call-and-response structure of “I Love to Praise Him” fosters communal worship, uniting the soloist, choir, and audience in a shared expression of faith. This format, rooted in African musical traditions, strengthens social bonds and reflects the interactive nature of African American church services. The choir’s echoing responses to Burks’ lead lines, as seen in performances documented on YouTube, create a dialogue that invites listeners to participate, as noted by fans who recall clapping and shouting during live renditions. The song’s message of collective praise—“I love to praise Him” sung in unison—emphasizes unity in worship, aligning with the Mississippi Mass Choir’s mission to lead audiences in glorifying God. Burks’ commanding presence, described as causing audiences to “automatically rise to their feet” by Jerry Mannery, enhances this communal experience, making the song a catalyst for collective exultation.
Divine Exaltation and Gratitude
The song’s lyrics repeatedly exalt Jesus’ name, reflecting gratitude for His redemptive work. Phrases like “I love to praise His holy name” draw from the Christian belief in Jesus as the Savior, whose name is worthy of continual adoration (Philippians 2:9-10). Burks’ performance, described as “spirit-filled” by fans on X, conveys a deep gratitude that resonates with listeners. This theme is particularly poignant given Burks’ personal journey from a childhood of hardship to becoming a gospel icon, as documented by Malaco Records. Her singing reflects a testimony of God’s faithfulness, inviting listeners to express their own gratitude through praise. The song’s arrangement, with its big brass section and rocking choir, amplifies this exaltation, creating a majestic sound that mirrors the grandeur of divine worship.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
“I Love to Praise Him” holds significant cultural weight as a testament to African American spirituality and resilience. Its performance style, with Burks’ fiery delivery and the choir’s vibrant harmonies, embodies the energy of traditional gospel worship. The song’s inclusion in the Mississippi Mass Choir’s repertoire, alongside hits like “This Morning When I Rose” and “They Got the Word,” underscores its role in defining the choir’s sound. Its broader impact is evident in tributes following Burks’ passing in 2025, with fans on X calling her a “gospel pioneer” whose voice “touched hearts around the world.” The song’s message of joyful praise, rooted in scripture and delivered through Burks’ lived experience, continues to uplift listeners, as seen in its enduring popularity in church services and gospel playlists.