Praise and Worship

CHURCH LIFE CLASS

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

PREFACE: Praise and worship hold a very important place among God’s people. The Bible gives us a

thorough coverage of praise and worship. There has been a great hunger among God’s

people to return to a more Biblical expression of praise and worship. We believe that God

desires us to worship in a Psalmic pattern, which is a genuine, heart felt, expressive praise and

worship desired by God and described in detail in the book of Psalms. Let us look at part of

the Biblical pictures of praise and worship and pattern ourselves after them.

I. INTRODUCTION TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP

A. Importance of praise and worship.

Satan knew the value of worship. He offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory if

he would fall down and worship him. Mt 4:8-11

The importance of praise and worship lies in the relationship it establishes between the worshiper and the object worshiped. We tend to become like what we worship. Example of a fan and an athletic team.

B. Real worship and praise are the characteristics of true Christianity.

Phil 3:3 “for we are the true circumcision; who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.”

Jesus in talking to woman at the well explains that the time has now come that true worshipers will not be set apart by outward form. True worshipers will worship God in Spirit and Truth.

Jn 4:21-24.

C. Distinctions between worship and praise.

1. Definitions:

Praise - to commend, to applaud, to express approval or admiration of, to extol in

words or in song, to magnify, shine, boast, rave etc. It is an outward expression.

Worship - The Greek word carries the meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand. Also,

it means to do reverence to, adore, fawn or crouch, worship etc. It is difficult to get a

simple definition of worship because real worship defies definition. It is something to be

experienced. It is the result of a divine encounter that involves the feelings that are born

out an intimate communion with God. It is a response to a revelation of God.

Praise and worship are so closely related and affect each other so much that it is difficult to

completely separate them into narrow boxes of definition.

D. How are we to worship God?

Jesus tells us how to worship in John 4:24.

1. Worship in spirit - Jesus here is showing that worship is not to be bound to a certain time or place,

but it was going to be a function of the spirit of man reaching out to the Spirit of God.

Worship isn’t just outward ritual. Worship is our spirit corresponding with God’s Spirit.

Worship in Truth - Jesus Christ is the truth. Jn 14:6. Jesus intends that we worship in

accordance with the truths of God’s word. Jn 17:17, Ps 119. The doctrinal content of our

songs determine their real spiritual value.

3. Worship with our whole heart. Ps 111:1; Ps 9:1 It includes our emotions.

E. Praise and worship signify our priestly ministry.

1. The Bible teaches that we are all priests unto God. Rev 1:6; I Pet 2:5

2. God has shown that He is to be approached by sacrifice and spiritual sacrifices. 1 Pet 2:5

- Sacrifice ourselves. Rom 12:1

- Sacrifice our possessions. Phil 4:18; Heb 13:16

- Sacrifice of praise. Heb 13:15

- Sacrifice of thanksgiving. Ps 116:1 7; I Thess 5:18; Eph 5:20

- Sacrifice of joy. Ps 27:6

II. WHY WE ARE TO WORSHIP

1. God has ordained worship/praise as a way to come into His presence. Ps 100:4

2. Worship/praise is a sign that God is in the midst of us (Ps 22:3). God inhabits our praise

(Jer 33:11).

3. God has given us worship as a way of glorifying Him. Ps 50:23

4. Worship/praise is part of our priestly ministry. Heb 13:15

5. God is worthy to be praised. Ps 18:3

III. WHEN AND WHERE WE ARE TO WORSHIP

A. When are we to worship?

1. At all times. Ps 34:1

2. Continually. Ps 34:1, Ps 35:7, Heb 13:15; Eph 5:18,20; Lk 24:53

3. While I have my being. Ps 146:1-3; 45:17; 71:6; 119:164

4. Everyday. “Everyday will I bless Thee” Ps 146:1-3

B. Where we are to worship?

1. In our homes. Ps 149:5

2. In the congregation. Ps 22:22; Ps 35:18; 100:2,4; 111:1; 134:2; 135:1

3. Before the unbeliever. Acts 2:46-47; Ps 40:3; Ps 126:2; Acts 16:25-34

C. Who is to worship?

1. The Lord’s servants. Ps 113:1

2. Those who fear the Lord. Ps 22:23

3. Those who seek Him. Ps 22:26; 145:10

IV. HOW WE ARE TO WORSHIP

Controversy stirs when we begin to discuss the manner in which we are to worship God especially the

outward expressions. We believe in “Biblical Psalmic Worship” which means a genuine, heart felt,

expressive praise and worship desired by God and described in the Bible, especially the book of Psalms.

This is part of worshipping Him according to the word.

A. Biblical expressions of praise and worship.

1. Lifting our hands.

Ps 28:2 “Hear the voice of my supplication when I cry to Thee for help, when I lift up my hands

toward Thy holy sanctuary.”

Ps 63:3-4 “Because Thy loving kindness is better than life, My lips will praise Thee. So I will bless

Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands to Thy name.’

Ps 141:2 “May my prayer be counted as incense before Thee; the lifting of my hands as the

evening offering.”

Ps 134:2 “Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.”

1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

Note that children lift their hands when they want adults to pick them up. Lifting of the hands is also a form of surrender.

2. Clapping hands.

Ps 47:1 “0 clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of Triumph.”

Ps 98:8

3. Playing musical instruments.

Ps 149:1-4

Ps 150:1 -6

Ps 81:1-2

Ps 98:4-6

Ps 33:2

Ps 45:8

God has given us music and singing to help lift our heart.

4. Singing.

Ps 81:1-2

Ps 33:2-3

Ps 95:1

Jas 5:13 “…Is anyone merry, let him sing praises.”

Eph 5:19

Col 3:16

Ps 149:6 “Let the high praises of God be on our lips.”

5. Shouting.

Ps 47:1 “Shout unto God with a voice of triumph.”

Ps 66:1-2 “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; make His praise

glorious.”

Ps 81:1 “Sing for joy to God our strength; shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.”

Psalms 95:1-2 O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. (2) Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Psalms 98:4-6 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. (5) Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, With the lyre and the sound of melody. (6) With trumpets and the sound of the horn Shout joyfully before the King, the LORD.

Psalms 100:1 A Psalm for Thanksgiving. Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.Psalms 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

The word “hallelujah” means to cry aloud or break out into a cry.

6. Standing.

Ps 135:2 “You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God! Praise

the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely;”

Ps 122:2

Ps 134:1 “Behold, bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord, who serve (stand) by night in the house

of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.”

Ps 135:2

Standing speaks of respect and alertness.

7. Dancing.

Ps 30:11

Ps 149:3

Ps 150:4

Ex 15:20-21

8. Bowing or kneeling.

Ps 95:6

Rev 19:4