When most people contemplate the act of worship, they immediately think of singing or a song service, usually taking place as part of a church service. The Christian music industry has even gotten on board with this and has created a whole genre categorizing various lyrical offerings as “praise and worship” songs.
However, while singing can be an aspect of worship, it shouldn’t be considered the only way in which to praise God through.
What it Means to Worship God
Before delving further into the content, it’s important to define what the word worship means. Merriam-Webster defines worship as the following:
“To honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power,” or “to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion.”
The definition of the word gives no indication that singing or a song service must be involved to worship God. However, many people seem believe singing alone is an act of worship, while other acts are not considered as such. To further explore the issue, a look into the Bible is necessary.
What the Bible Says About Worshiping God
In the Old Testament, there are various scriptures that talk about worshiping God. For example, 2 Samuel 6:5 says, “David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of fir wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.”
This of course indicates music, and one would assume singing is involved in giving praise to God or worshiping Him. However, further down in 2 Samuel 6:21-22, there is another act mentioned. The Scripture says, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me over your father and his whole family to appoint me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the Lord, and I will humble myself even more…”
This verse of course talks about dancing and humbling oneself as being an element of praise to God or worship. More indication that worship/praise and music goes hand-in-hand is found in Psalm 33:2, which says, “Praise the Lord with the lyre, make music to Him with a ten-stringed harp.”
After Jesus’ arrival, the New Testament indicates a shift when it comes to praise and worship. In John 4:21,23, the Bible says, “an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem…and hour is coming and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.”
Romans 12:1-2 goes even further and says, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.”
What This All Means
Suffice it to say that there are many ways in which a believer can praise God through worship. These ways do not always have to involve stepping foot in a church or singing a note. Instead, it goes much deeper than mere outward actions.
When New Testament Scripture is considered, there could be no other deduction, but that believers are to worship God in spirit and in truth, with their whole being. This basically means, every element of life can be a form of worship. If a believer’s body is a sacrifice, pleasing to God, their very thoughts can even be an element of worship. To put it another way, consider the words of renowned scholars Donald A. Hagner and Everett F. Harrison, who said the following about the idea of worship expressed by Paul in The Book of Romans:
“He captures not merely the idea of the adoration of God, but covers the entire range of the Christian’s life and activity.”
In conclusion, a believer who isn’t crazy about worship music during church shouldn’t be discouraged. There are many other ways they can worship God. One only has to give of themselves in a manner pleasing to God in order to effectively worship Him.
~ 1776 Christian
