A Biblical Understanding of Worship

A national research survey conducted by the Barna Research Group suggests that the coverage and opinions expressed by Christian leaders regarding the worship wars have masked the real issue surrounding worship. Barna writes that Christian leaders have “exaggerated the scope of the problem.” The real issue, they contend, is that they “don’t understand the relationship between music, communication, God, and worship.” In addition, this study concludes that church leaders contribute to the worship wars by “focusing on how to please people with music” rather than on a holy God who deserves fervent worship. This displays the need for believers to develop a biblical understanding of worship.

The Definition of Worship

Worship comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word, weorthscipe, which conveys giving worth, respect, and reverence to the object of one’s worship. It should be noted that הוח (shachah) and προσκυνέω (proskuneo), when used in the Old and New Testament, have the idea of bowing down and prostrating oneself before the object of worship. God commands us to bow down before Him in humble worship. “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker” (Ps. 95:6). Donald Hustad defines worship as “the affirmative, transforming response of human beings to God’s self-revealing.”

The Focus of Worship

There are 115 verses in the Old Testament and 73 verses in the New Testament where some form of the word worship is used. In most of these passages, there is no specific mention or reference to music. Instead, the context conveys themes of obedience, submission, praise, and prayer. The focus of worship in these passages is on giving rather than receiving from God. For example, Moses instructs Israel to give their first fruits (vegetables) of the land to God “and worship before the Lord thy God” (Deut. 26:10). Also, we are to “give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name” (Ps. 29:2a), and, like Job, worship God while giving Him humble submission (Job 1:20). Rather than being an isolated event, scriptural worship involves lifestyle. This includes choices of every kind, ensuring that each choice appropriately points to Christ. Biblical worship cannot occur unless we make choices supported by God’s Word in all areas of our lives. Our knowledge of God should continually increase as we progress through life (II Pet. 3:18).

The Relationship Between Theology and Worship

Understanding God’s nature correctly is essential for developing a proper theology. Isaiah 6:1-8 displays this connection. This passage demonstrates that a correct understanding of

God results in an appropriate response. This includes proper praise, as exemplified by angelic worship. “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa. 6:3). This proclamation of praise acknowledges God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:1-4), uniqueness (Psalm 86:8), and separation from sin (I Pet. 1:16). This demonstrates

the proper nature of praise that should be reflected in our personal and corporate worship (Isa. 6:1-4). Additionally, this worship reveals attitudes of unworthiness, impurity, and surrender, which are consistent with Isaiah’s response (Isa. 6:5-8). Texts and musical sounds chosen for worship should reinforce this kind of spirit (Rom. 12:1-2; I Cor. 14:6-16).

The Nature of Worship

Christ gives explicit worship statements in John 4:23-24. Specifically, He desires internal worship from the believer’s heart (spirit) that displays the new nature. This nature is made possible by Christ’s work of salvation. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:17). John MacArthur writes, “True worship does not consist of mere outward conformity to religious standards and duties but emanates from the inner spirit.” God seeks worshippers who have a right relationship with Him and worship that speaks accurate truths about Him. God’s truth (aletheia) is an absolute reality based on His nature (Jn. 4:24). The proper understanding of God’s Word should result in scriptural worship, which reflects God’s nature and desire (John 4:24). In fact, God tells us that He saved us out of the darkness of sin to reflect His praiseworthy excellence (I Peter 2:9).

The Methodology of Worship

Ligon Duncan states, “God makes it amply clear…throughout the Bible that He does

indeed care very much about how we worship.” David transporting the ark in a non-scriptural way resulted in the death of Uzzah, much to David’s surprise (II Sam. 6:1-11). Since God desires “clean hands” (right actions), and a “clean heart” (right attitude) (Ps. 24:4), Cain’s offering was not accepted because both method (Gen. 4:3-5) and heart were wrong (Heb. 11:4). Further, Nadab and Abihu worshipped God by offering a “strange” or an unauthorized fire to the Lord (Lev. 10:1-3). This led to their deaths. Thus, there are consequences for disobedience to His worship instructions. However, these consequences may not occur immediately, as in the case of Israel’s worship of the Queen of Heaven (Jer. 44:17-25).

The Heart of Worship

Biblical worship cannot occur unless we make choices supported by God’s Word in all areas of our lives. This stems from our knowledge of God, which should continually increase as we progress through life. For this to occur believers must seek to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18). May we cultivate a comprehensive biblical theology of worship as we seek to bring Christ glory “both now and forever” (II Pet. 3:18b).

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Erik D. Hanson has served in pastoral ministry in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for fifteen years.