Why we worship the way we worship?

Sing
It is a very natural thing for us as humans to express ourselves through song; in fact our deepest emotions are often linked with music and a song. So since we love Jesus with all our heart, mind, soul and strength it is right that we sing to Him. The Bible is full of exhortations to express praise, worship and thanksgiving through song and music. One of the largest books of the Bible is the book of Psalms, which, as one person put it, was Jesus’ songbook.

‘I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever.’ Psalm 89:1-8

Shout
There are times when we are so full of praise that we have to let it out with a mighty and overwhelming shout.

‘Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth’ Psalm 100:1

There are times when we are engaged in spiritual warfare and we need to make a battle cry - crying out to the Lord for His intervention in our circumstance.

‘I cry aloud to the Lord’ Psalm 142:1

On both occasions we can find that we run out of human language with which to cry to the Lord and this is one of the reasons why we have been given the ‘gift of tongues’. Now we have a heavenly language with which to cry aloud to the Lord.

‘The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.’ Romans 8:26

Clap
We use a simple handclap in two main ways in church. One is because perhaps at heart we are all drummers and music makers!! And when there is a good beat happening we like to be involved in making the music. So we clap along in time with the music. Another reason is to applaud. We like to clap and cheer to show our appreciation when someone has done something good – well; God has done great things for us! Let us applaud Him for all He’s done. This is a non-verbal form of praise to God.

‘Clap your hands all you nations’ Psalm 47:1

Hands raised
As a child stretches hands out towards its parents when it wants attention so we reach out with our hands to our loving Father in heaven. There is also Scriptural back up for this activity – one Old Testament word which is usually translated ‘praise’ literally means ‘to hold out the hand’. Stretching out the hand is also associated with blessing, so as we stretch out our hands it is also to bless the Lord.

‘Lift up your hands in the sanctuary’ Psalm 134:2

Bowing down, kneeling
As Matt Redman said, "When in the presence of the King, keep yourself small". There are times when we have to humble ourselves before the Lord; we literally feel it is right to make ourselves smaller by kneeling or bowing. If we were to be introduced to the Queen or a member of the Royal family we would bow in honour to them.

‘And the elders bow down before Him . . .’ Revelation 4:10
‘Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel . . .’ Psalm 95:6

Singing in the Spirit
There are times in praise and worship when the words of the song we are singing are no longer adequate to tell the Lord what we are feeling. Often we will sing a beautiful song with no scripted words that rises from the heart. On top of that our earthly language cannot express our heart either – but what a joy that God has given us the gift of tongues with which our spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit can cry directly to our Father.

‘I will sing with my mind, I will sing with my spirit also’ 1 Corinthians 14:15
‘Sing to the Lord a new song’ Psalm 98:1

Dance
Whether choreographed or spontaneous, dance is a physical, non-verbal way of praising God.

‘Let them praise His name with dancing’ Psalm 149:3

Lastly, remember worship carries on even when the music stops, for worship is living every moment of life to please God.

‘I urge you to present your bodies as living sacrifices . . . this is worship.’ Romans 12:1

So at this time when God is talking to us so much about worship and giving us new opportunities together let us all agree to be worshippers – heart, mind, soul and strength – lovers of Jesus.

By Dave Wellington