The Essence and Expression of Worship
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD! (Psalm 150:3–6)
When we think of worship in the context of church, we usually think of praying and singing. Although worship often does occur when we do these things, its meaning lies much deeper. Our English word worship comes from the old Anglo-Saxon term weorthscipe, or “worth-ship,” and it means to attribute worth to someone or something.1 When referring to the worship of our God, it is attributing supreme worth to Him who alone is worthy of our praise and honor.
Worship is significant because it turns our full attention to the only One worthy of it. Worship underscores our celebration of everything that brings honor to our God. In giving Him honor—when we have truly worshiped—there is something so deeply satisfying and gratifying that words cannot describe it. Its importance eclipses all things urgent.
Because God seeks our worship, it stands to reason that the church is to represent both a place of worship . . . and a place that cultivates worshipers. It isn’t a place to make business contacts. Church isn’t about being entertained. It isn’t even about being a place that makes you feel good. It is, first and foremost, about worship.
Let’s go further. The essence of worship does not refer to external, localized actions we perform. Worship is inward. It has to do with the mind, the heart. Worship is the personal contemplation and adoration of God. It is the natural response of those who recognize who God is and what He has done on our behalf. The essence of worship has to do with our internalizing our adoration. When we worship we affirm a deep, personal commitment. That is what God seeks.
The expression of worship, on the other hand, moves us into the outward forms of worship . . . the ways we express our praise to God. That may be as varied as whatever culture is expressing it. Some are quite effusive and expressive; others are more reserved. But let’s never forget, the essence remains the same. A correct understanding of the essence of worship is integral to a correct expression of worship. The first always lays the groundwork for the second.
- Webster’s New World Dictionary of the English Language (New York: WorldPublishing, 1966), 1686.
Taken from The Church Awakening by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2010 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Faith Words, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
