What is Worship?

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬, ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

There’s been a common distress among churchgoers in the last decade or so concerning “praise and worship”—that because certain songs are not what we consider praise, we struggle to enter into worship.

I’ve felt a stirring in my spirit concerning this topic for quite some time because it just comes down to a matter of understanding. I believe understanding here will bring peace and freedom to many regarding this topic.

There are a few Hebrew and Greek words translated worship in the Bible, and they all have to do with bowing down—in reverence, adoration, and submission. Additionally, the concept of worship in the Bible often goes hand in hand with service or serving. For example, in the above verse in Romans, the word translated worship is actually the Greek word for service. Worship and service go hand in hand all over the Bible and are sometimes used interchangeably.

So when we look at the whole concept of worship in the Bible, we will see that worship encompasses anything which causes the posture of our hearts to bow down before (submit to, revere, adore) the Lord.

Serving.

Giving.

Loving.

Obeying.

Honoring.

Thanking.

And yes, praising.

It’s all worship.

We could put it this way—all praise is worship, but worship includes more than praise.

In fact, many parts of a Sunday morning church service are actually worship—the serving, the singing, the giving, the study of Scripture—just as these things were all part of worship in the Bible. 

So, when we’re talking about Sunday morning “praise and worship” time, we can ask ourselves questions like these to help us enter in:

• Does the song lead me into a heart posture of adoration and love for God? 

• Does the song lead me into a heart posture of reverence and submission to God?

• Does the song lead me into a heart posture of gratitude to God?

If so, then it’s worship. 

Oh Lord, thank you that Your Word helps us understand all things. Please continue to grant us understanding, that we may worship You fully. Amen.