PRAISE AND WORSHIP
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Praise and Worship Key Scriptures
John 4:23–24
Psalm 100:4
Romans 12:1
1 Peter 2:9
Hebrews 13:15
Ephesians 5:19–20
Colossians 3:16–17
Introduction
The words ‘praise and worship’ cover the whole of our response of love and appreciation to the Lord. They sum up our reason for living (Isaiah 43:21; Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14).
We should thank God for what He has given to us.
We should praise God for what He has done for us.
We should worship God for who He is to us.
We need to always have a thankful heart to God who has done so much for us (Psalm 100:4). In fact, Paul exhorts us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). God loves us, cares for us, and wants us to know this. Out of grateful hearts we can give thanks to Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth.
What is praise?
recognising who God is (Psalm 104:1–35; 1 Chronicles 29:10–13).
acknowledging God for all He has done for us (Psalm 25:8–10; Isaiah 25:1).
exalting God (Psalm 34:3; Psalm 99:5).
honouring God (Daniel 4:34–37).
magnifying God (Luke 1:46 AV; Acts 10:46 AV).
marvelling at God (2 Thessalonians 1:10).
glorifying God (Revelation 15:4; Psalm 29:1).
Why should we praise God?
God is enthroned on the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3 AV).
Nothing can praise God quite like man (Psalm 30:9; Psalm 115:17–18).
Praise lifts up and rejoices in God’s great deeds both now and in the past (Psalm 40:5; Psalm 98:1; Exodus 15:6).
Praise proclaims God’s greatness and majesty to the world (Psalm 66:5–8).
Praise releases God’s blessing to us (Psalm 67:5–7).
Praise releases God’s power (Psalm 149:6–9; 2 Chronicles 20:12, 22).
God created man to praise Him (Isaiah 43:21; Ephesians 1:3–14).
We have been instructed to praise God (Ephesians 5:18–20; Psalm 146:1; Psalm 100:4).
Praise is a sacrifice that pleases God (Hebrews 13:15–16; Psalm 107:21, 22; 2 Samuel 24:24); not necessarily just our lips but our whole being (Romans 12:1).
God is worthy to receive our praise (Revelation 5:9–14).
Praise is a weapon
Praise can be a weapon against our enemy, Satan, because Satan is allergic to praise. In spiritual warfare, we do not keep on praising and singing just for the sake of it, but rather, we should sense, by the Holy Spirit, the Word of God upon which God’s anointing rests (Psalm 56:4, 10–11; 2 Chronicles 20:21–22). We should persevere until the power of God breaks through (Acts 16:25). This kind of praise is not just spoken quietly in our hearts but, rather, it needs to be heard!
Seven Hebrew words for praise
Yadah: to hold out the hand, to revere or worship with extended hands (Genesis 29:35; 2 Chronicles 7:6; Psalm 107:8).
Halal: to be clear, to make a show, to boast and thus be foolish, to rave or to celebrate (1 Chronicles 23:5, 30; 2 Chronicles 20:19, 21; Psalm 69:30; Psalm 150:1–6).
Tehillah: (from ‘halal’) laudation or hymn of praise (Deuteronomy 10:21; 2 Chronicles 20:22; Psalm 100:4; Psalm 145:25). God is enthroned in this type of praise (Psalm 22:3 AV).
Barak: to kneel and, by implication, to bless God as an act of adoration (Judges 5:2).
Zamar: to strike with the fingers, to play an instrument accompanied by voices, hence to celebrate in song and music (Psalm 21:13; Psalm 57:7; Psalm 108:1).
Shabach: to address or glorify God in a loud tone or shout (Psalm 63:3; Psalm 117:16; Psalm 145:4).
Towdah: an extension of the hand in adoration; specifically a choir of worshippers; a confession or sacrifice of praise (Psalm 100:1; Jeremiah 17:26; Jeremiah 33:11).
What is worship?
Worship = worth-ship = appreciating God because He is worthy (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:12). The Hebrew words for ‘worship’ are ‘segad’ and ‘shachah’ and these mean ‘to bow down’. They also carry in their meaning the thought of a relationship between a dog and his master, i.e. adoring love. The main Greek word translated as ‘worship’ is ‘proskuneo’ and it means, ‘to kiss the hand; to homage or reverence.’ Biblical worship then has the implied meaning of selfless adoration of a greater being. Jesus shed His blood to give us the privilege of worshipping the Father (Hebrews 10:19–22). Through Jesus, every believer becomes a priest to God, i.e. those who present the people of God to God and God to the people (Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 2:9). We must put God first in our lives and worship is an expression of this. When we give to God in this way He draws us to Himself and gives back to us. Worshipping God is not just singing songs. In fact, as disciples of Jesus everything we do (i.e. our work, pleasure activities, study, family life etc.) should be worship of God. True worship of God involves us giving 100% of our lives to Him; being totally available and totally obedient to Him. Worship of God is a lifestyle of bringing glory to God. Worship is what the Father is seeking Jesus said,
Gordon, Bob. The Foundations of Christian Living (The Sovereign World Foundations Series) . Sovereign World Ltd. Kindle Edition.
“Yet a time is coming and now is when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and His worshippers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23–24) Notice that this passage teaches five points: We worship the Father – As His redeemed sons and daughters, we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We worship from our spirits – This means that we must be born again of the Holy Spirit if we are to worship God acceptably. Our worship of God should be led and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Only He knows how to worship God in a way that is pleasing to the Father (1 Corinthians 2:10–16; John 16:13–15). We worship from our hearts – We worship in truth; out of the reality of a life lived in fellowship with God the Father through Jesus His Son. In fact, the Greek word translated as ‘truth’ is ‘aletheia’ which also means ‘reality’. We need to offer heartfelt worship to God with our mouths (Matthew 15:8–9). We need to express the melody in our hearts (Ephesians 5:19) and the joy that Jesus brings us (Luke 1:16–47). We worship with our understanding – Because we worship a God that we know personally (John 4:22; Acts 17:22–23; 1 Corinthians 14:15). We worship from the will – We do not praise God or worship Him because we feel like it, but because He desires it. Worship is a priority in heaven. Whenever we see a picture of God in the Bible, we see worship in
Gordon, Bob. The Foundations of Christian Living (The Sovereign World Foundations Series) . Sovereign World Ltd. Kindle Edition.
progress (Isaiah 6:1–5; Revelation 4:6–11; Ezekiel 47:1–12). Worship gives place for the rule of God and the form of worship or liturgy (what we do) is not the issue. The issue is whether the life of God is in our worship. In what ways can we offer praise and worship to God? with words (Psalm 9:1). by shouting (Psalm 95:1). by bowing down (Psalm 95:6). in song (Psalm 104:33; Psalm 33:1). with dancing (this is a symbol of a larger truth, that our whole lives, body, soul and spirit, are given to the Lord in response to His love) (Psalm 150:4; Psalm 149:3). with raised hands, expressing dependence on the Lord or victory in the Lord (Psalm 134:2). with instruments, usually but not always accompanied by singing (Psalm 150:3–5; Psalm 98:4–6). with our whole lifestyle (Romans 12:1; Philippians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). singing with the spirit, i.e. our God given language (1 Corinthians 14:15). with psalms: words sung from the Bible (especially the Psalms); hymns: compositions which especially exalt Jesus as Lord; spiritual songs: original songs, either prepared or spontaneously inspired by the Holy Spirit, which express our experience of the Lord (Ephesians 5:19–20).
Gordon, Bob. The Foundations of Christian Living (The Sovereign World Foundations Series) . Sovereign World Ltd. Kindle Edition.
The image of the tabernacle of Moses (Hebrews 8:5) As unbelievers we are outside the tabernacle. We come into the outer court at God’s invitation to the altar of sacrifice (here our sins are forgiven) and then we go on to the laver (where we are washed and cleansed). Forgiven, washed and clean (born again Christians) we can go into the Holy Place as priests of God. We go to the altar of incense (to offer up prayers) and use the incense compounded by priests. We can go to the tabernacle of shewbread which has been prepared and baked by men (to read and partake of the Word of God and the Lord’s supper). We can see because of the lit candlestick which has olive oil prepared and administered by man (to fellowship and walk in God’s light). Then we can go through the torn veil into the Most Holy Place where everything is supernatural. Here is the presence of God contained above the Ark of the Covenant. The ark contains the tablets of stone with the commandments of God on them (God speaks His law and Word directly to us). In front of the ark there are Aaron’s rod (God gives us His authority and His life) and a jar of manna (God gives us His hidden supernatural provision eternally). In this place we rest with God and sit at His feet. Here He ministers to us and we worship Him. Because we are priests to God in Jesus (1 Peter 2:9), we may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:19–22).
Summary and Application
Now you are a disciple of Jesus you have something to shout about and something to sing about. We should praise God at all times (Psalm 34:1; Psalm 145:2) and in all circumstances (Hebrews 13:15). Our praise and worship should be an offering to God which comes from an upright heart (Psalm 119:7), and it should be offered with all of our heart (Psalm 138:1). We do not offer praise and worship to please men but rather to please God. We should worship God in spirit and in truth for these are the kind of worshippers our heavenly Father seeks (John 4:23, 24).