Worship
Praise the Lord
A Psalm of Thanksgiving. MAKE a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. NKJV Psalms 100:1-5
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. NIV Romans 12:1
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. KJV Hosea 6:6
David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service: NIV 1 Chronicles 25:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. NIV Romans 12:1
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. KJV Hosea 6:6
David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service: NIV 1 Chronicles 25:1
What is Worship?
The English word "worship" comes from two Old English words: weorth, which means "worth," and scipe or ship, which means something like shape or "quality." We can see the Old English word -ship in modern words like friendship and sportsmanship – that’s the quality of being a friend, or the quality of being a good sport. So worth-ship is the quality of having worth or of being worthy. When we worship, we are saying that God has worth, that he is worthy. Worship means to declare worth, to attribute worth. Or to put it in biblical terms, we praise God. We speak, or sing, about how good and powerful God is.
Let’s look at the biblical words. In both Hebrew and Greek, there are two major kinds of words for worship. The first kind means to bow down, to kneel, to put one’s face down as an act of respect and submission. Our body language is saying, I will do whatever you want me to. I am ready to listen to your instructions and I am willing to obey. The other kind of biblical word means to serve. Roughly half of the time these words are translated as worship, and the other half as serve. It carries the idea of doing something for God — making a sacrifice or carrying out his instructions.
Definition of WORSHIP
1 chiefly British : a person of importance —used as a title for various officials (as magistrates and some mayors)
2 : reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence
3 : a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual
4 : extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem <worship of the dollar>
From Webster's dictionary
Hebrew
Strong's H7812 - shachah - shä·khä'
Part of Speech -verb - A primitive root
1) to bow down
a) (Qal) to bow down
b) (Hiphil) to depress (fig)
c) (Hithpael)
2) to bow down, prostrate oneself
a) before superior in homage
b) before God in worship
c) before false gods
d) before angel
Greek
Strong's G2999 - latreia
Part of Speech -feminine noun
1) service rendered for hire
a) any service or ministration: the service of God
2) the service and worship of God according to the requirements of the Levitical law
3) to perform sacred services
Here is my definition of Worship
Worship is the emotional, mental, physical and/or spiritual reaction to anything or anyone that directs your life.
This means that if money is what you focus on in life and you make your decisions based on what money allows (ex. fear from lack), that is worshipping money. If obtaining your desires is your focus in life and you make your decisions based on the desire to please yourself, then you are worshipping yourself. If God is what you focus on in life and you make your decisions based on what God allows (ex. pleasing Him), then you are worshipping God.
Let’s look at the biblical words. In both Hebrew and Greek, there are two major kinds of words for worship. The first kind means to bow down, to kneel, to put one’s face down as an act of respect and submission. Our body language is saying, I will do whatever you want me to. I am ready to listen to your instructions and I am willing to obey. The other kind of biblical word means to serve. Roughly half of the time these words are translated as worship, and the other half as serve. It carries the idea of doing something for God — making a sacrifice or carrying out his instructions.
- worship involves speaking
- worship involves listening
- worship involves doing.
Definition of WORSHIP
1 chiefly British : a person of importance —used as a title for various officials (as magistrates and some mayors)
2 : reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence
3 : a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual
4 : extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem <worship of the dollar>
From Webster's dictionary
Hebrew
Strong's H7812 - shachah - shä·khä'
Part of Speech -verb - A primitive root
1) to bow down
a) (Qal) to bow down
b) (Hiphil) to depress (fig)
c) (Hithpael)
2) to bow down, prostrate oneself
a) before superior in homage
b) before God in worship
c) before false gods
d) before angel
Greek
Strong's G2999 - latreia
Part of Speech -feminine noun
1) service rendered for hire
a) any service or ministration: the service of God
2) the service and worship of God according to the requirements of the Levitical law
3) to perform sacred services
Here is my definition of Worship
Worship is the emotional, mental, physical and/or spiritual reaction to anything or anyone that directs your life.
This means that if money is what you focus on in life and you make your decisions based on what money allows (ex. fear from lack), that is worshipping money. If obtaining your desires is your focus in life and you make your decisions based on the desire to please yourself, then you are worshipping yourself. If God is what you focus on in life and you make your decisions based on what God allows (ex. pleasing Him), then you are worshipping God.
How does God want to be worshipped?
Jesus told a woman that God wants to be worshipped in spirit and truth. Spirit is not the same word used for the Holy Spirit. It is the word used for our spirit. He wants us to have a true love for Him, however we express it. If it comes truely from love there is no law against it. He wants us to worship in truth, meaning we know who He is and we know Him personally. It does not matter if your worship takes the form of writing, bible study, singing, dancing, painting, helping others, tithing, or prayer. If it is done in truth and spirit it is pleasing to the Lord.
Some people have issues with modern worship music. Music is a way to worship God, and it can include the use of instruments (it did in the Old Testament). The Psalms have comments for the musicians. God does not have a problem with music or instruments, the problem comes when enjoyment of the music is the focus rather than God. God wants our love, he does not need to have it, but he wants our love. Real worship of God comes from loving obedience. It comes not just in worship services but at every moment of our lives.
Some people have issues with modern worship music. Music is a way to worship God, and it can include the use of instruments (it did in the Old Testament). The Psalms have comments for the musicians. God does not have a problem with music or instruments, the problem comes when enjoyment of the music is the focus rather than God. God wants our love, he does not need to have it, but he wants our love. Real worship of God comes from loving obedience. It comes not just in worship services but at every moment of our lives.
Modern Worship Songs
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