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