---
title: 40 Things the Psalms Tell Us About Biblical Worship
description: For music ministers developing a theology of worship to inform their practice, this blog highlights 40 things the Psalms can teach us about worship.
---

[Discover Worship - Church Choir Resources](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles)

# [40 Things the Psalms Tell Us About Biblical Worship](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles/blog/view/212/40-things-the-psalms-tell-us-about-biblical-worship)

 Written by [Vince Wilcox](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles/author/vince-wilcox) | Sep 14, 2015 5:00:00 AM

Our working definition of biblical worship may not be big enough.

These days, we spend so much time focusing on the hot new song or the cool new effect that we’re tempted to forget what’s most important to the Lord’s heart.

In the [book of Psalms](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+1&version=NIV), God’s Word tells us that biblical worship can…

1. Contrast the character of God with the nature of man
2. Profess our personal struggles and failings with brutal honesty
3. Admit our frustration and impatience
4. Cry out for deliverance from trial and persecution
5. Call our community to confession and repentance
6. Plead for justice and the restoration of righteousness
7. Testify to God’s sustaining grace and ultimate salvation
8. Praise God for his majesty and power as displayed in creation
9. Thank God for his marvelous and miraculous deeds
10. Implore God to destroy those who wickedly oppress us and others
11. Celebrate the strength, peace and security we find in God
12. Point toward the Day of the Lord and the redemption of all things
13. Call us to holiness and a lifestyle that reflects God’s character
14. Proclaim God’s faithfulness to and provision for his children
15. Reveal the Messiah and the everlasting life he brings
16. Exalt the utter otherness of our God
17. Reveal the glory of worship around Heaven’s throne
18. Extol the beauty of his Law and his lordship in our lives
19. Contain prophetic revelations
20. Warn the unrighteous of the consequences of their disobedience
21. Encourage the brokenhearted and weary
22. Reveal God’s amazing mercy and forgiveness
23. Bless the Lord for his blessings to us
24. Bless the Lord for being the Sovereign God above all
25. Bless the Lord for turning our mourning into dancing
26. Involve joyful singing and skillful musicianship
27. Contain intercession for our leaders and nation
28. Compel a healthy fear and awe of God
29. Arouse a deep love for and trust in God
30. Be continually fresh as God renews our hearts and minds
31. Inspire sacrificial obedience to God and service to others
32. Give us God’s heart for the poor, weak and disenfranchised
33. Direct our souls to focus on God rather than ourselves
34. Deliver us from fear and despair
35. Command us to cease striving and—instead--to rest in Him
36. Involve clapping, shouting and loudly proclaiming God’s goodness
37. Help us look forward to experiencing the New Jerusalem
38. Help us trust in God rather than in wealth or strength
39. Empower us to abandon ungodly, sinful lives
40. Enable us hear the Word of God and apply it to our hearts

And that’s some of what’s contained in the first 50 psalms. There are 100 other chapters in the Bible’s hymnal that give us even more insight into what true worship looks like. As we develop a deep biblical theology of worship, we'll begin to understand the breath and depth of worship itself.

Most importantly, let's continually remind ourselves to focus on the *Who* and *what* of worship—and not just the *how*.

*--For more helpful articles about developing a theology of worship, go to [www.discoverworship.com](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles/topic/theology-of-worship).* 

[View full post](https://blog.discoverworship.com/articles/blog/view/212/40-things-the-psalms-tell-us-about-biblical-worship)

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