Praise and worship
Praise is also a form of worship. God is praised for the creation and work of His mighty hands (Ps
104). God is praised for what He does for His people, what He has done and for what He will do in the
future. God is praised for who He is, divine, sovereign, holy, infinite and creator. The very breathe of
life God has given creation should praise the Lord (Ps 150). Praise to the living God brings the
believer's relationship with God to a different level. When a believer receives revelation and becomes
aware of the character and nature of God the result is fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom and a
response of praise. Praise is not only necessary for a more intimate relation with God but also breaks
satanic strong holds and bondages. If you want Satan to flee begin to praise the Lord.
Praise should be given in all circumstances. In blessings and suffering. Throughout life's achievements,
triumphs and success do not be quick to receive credit, rather give praise to God.
Since hallelujah is the most recognized universal and highest word of praise, I wanted to add a
comment about it. The word is a combination of hala, a common Hebrew word of praise, and Yah, the
divine name. So praise the Lord, hallelujah!
Rather than search what the Bible says about praise, I have listed a few Psalms of praise that
ministered to me and can be integrated into prayer in praising our God.
Ps 9 - Thanksgiving & for God judgment of our enemies & the wicked
Ps 34 - Joy from trusting in the Lord - His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Ps 66 - For God's awesome works *
Ps 145 - For God's majesty & love
Ps 146 - Joy found by those who trust God & have received His help
Ps 147- For the joy of praising Him & His word & providence
Ps 148 - Let all creation praise God
Ps 149 - For salvation
Ps 150 - Let all things praise Him (with musical instruments)
Worship
The word worship is derived from the Anglo Saxon word "worth scipe" or worth ship. Worship
denotes worthiness. That raises the question, what is God worth to you? Worship is the response of a
believer in light of revelation of who God really is and what He has done for you. Worship is how the
believer responds to the worth of God. Worship should be rendered only to God, for He alone is
worthy of our praise, worship, thanksgiving and devotion. God's worth is found in -
*His eternal being (Jeremiah 10:6, Rev 22:13)
*His character (Jeremiah 9:24) "That I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and
righteousness in the earth, for in these I delight says the Lord"
*His supreme being (Jeremiah 10:6) "Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD,You are great, and
Your name is great in might "
*His creation (Gen 1:1, Col 1:16, Jeremiah 10:12)
Our prayers and praise are a form of worship just as music is a form of worship. Music has become
the contemporary form of worship and true songs of worship can certainly lead you into the presence
of the Holy Spirit. But worship is much more than music and adoration. Worship demands awe as well
as rejoicing and celebration of the joy of salvation (Ne 8:6, Dt 12:7, Ps 21:1, Hab 3:18). Worship must
be from the heart and in Spirit and truth (Phil 3:3, Jn 4:23-24). Worship should be characterized by
joy, praise and thanksgiving to God for our redemption and salvation in Christ. We were created for
fellowship with God and to worship God giving Him the glory. Worship is not about our feelings, our
preference toward a particular worship style or even our understanding. Worship is all about God, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Worship is about exalting the Lord and our response to God in
our lives.
Although the N.T. does not command specific practices or requirements of how we are to worship,
there are several elements that frequently appear in scripture. These repeated elements consist of
prayer, praise, hymns, scripture readings or lessons, and communion (the Lord's Supper). In Acts
16:25 Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns while in prison and an earthquake shook the
foundations and opened the doors. They praised God even in the storm. They can truly boast about
having the first prison ministry.
The joyful worship of God was the primary focus of the early church during gatherings. Reading of the
Holy Scriptures was a very important part of their worship gatherings and life together. Preachers
today who seem to focus sermons based primarily on promises, blessings, prosperity and spiritual
manifestations need to redirect their attention and efforts more toward the word of God, not His gifts.
Too many churches focus on what God can do for you and bring people in by preaching blessings. How
many foolish people run to the gifts and not the giver? These false teachers have one focus and they
know human nature and our selfish motivations. We need to look to God not to gifts. God wants to
bless and will bless His obedient children but blessings are a bonus of His love for us; and not
necessarily material.
Praise is also a form of worship. God is praised for the creation and work of His mighty hands (Ps
104). God is praised for what He does for His people, what He has done and for what He will do in the
future. God is praised for who He is, divine, sovereign, holy, infinite and creator. The very breathe of
life God has given creation should praise the Lord (Ps 150). Praise to the living God brings the
believer's relationship with God to a different level. When a believer receives revelation and becomes
aware of the character and nature of God the result is fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom and a
response of praise. Praise is not only necessary for a more intimate relation with God but also breaks
satanic strong holds and bondages. If you want Satan to flee begin to praise the Lord.
Praise should be given in all circumstances. In blessings and suffering. Throughout life's achievements,
triumphs and success do not be quick to receive credit, rather give praise to God.
Since hallelujah is the most recognized universal and highest word of praise, I wanted to add a
comment about it. The word is a combination of hala, a common Hebrew word of praise, and Yah, the
divine name. So praise the Lord, hallelujah!
Rather than search what the Bible says about praise, I have listed a few Psalms of praise that
ministered to me and can be integrated into prayer in praising our God.
Ps 9 - Thanksgiving & for God judgment of our enemies & the wicked
Ps 34 - Joy from trusting in the Lord - His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Ps 66 - For God's awesome works *
Ps 145 - For God's majesty & love
Ps 146 - Joy found by those who trust God & have received His help
Ps 147- For the joy of praising Him & His word & providence
Ps 148 - Let all creation praise God
Ps 149 - For salvation
Ps 150 - Let all things praise Him (with musical instruments)
Worship
The word worship is derived from the Anglo Saxon word "worth scipe" or worth ship. Worship
denotes worthiness. That raises the question, what is God worth to you? Worship is the response of a
believer in light of revelation of who God really is and what He has done for you. Worship is how the
believer responds to the worth of God. Worship should be rendered only to God, for He alone is
worthy of our praise, worship, thanksgiving and devotion. God's worth is found in -
*His eternal being (Jeremiah 10:6, Rev 22:13)
*His character (Jeremiah 9:24) "That I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and
righteousness in the earth, for in these I delight says the Lord"
*His supreme being (Jeremiah 10:6) "Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD,You are great, and
Your name is great in might "
*His creation (Gen 1:1, Col 1:16, Jeremiah 10:12)
Our prayers and praise are a form of worship just as music is a form of worship. Music has become
the contemporary form of worship and true songs of worship can certainly lead you into the presence
of the Holy Spirit. But worship is much more than music and adoration. Worship demands awe as well
as rejoicing and celebration of the joy of salvation (Ne 8:6, Dt 12:7, Ps 21:1, Hab 3:18). Worship must
be from the heart and in Spirit and truth (Phil 3:3, Jn 4:23-24). Worship should be characterized by
joy, praise and thanksgiving to God for our redemption and salvation in Christ. We were created for
fellowship with God and to worship God giving Him the glory. Worship is not about our feelings, our
preference toward a particular worship style or even our understanding. Worship is all about God, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Worship is about exalting the Lord and our response to God in
our lives.
Although the N.T. does not command specific practices or requirements of how we are to worship,
there are several elements that frequently appear in scripture. These repeated elements consist of
prayer, praise, hymns, scripture readings or lessons, and communion (the Lord's Supper). In Acts
16:25 Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns while in prison and an earthquake shook the
foundations and opened the doors. They praised God even in the storm. They can truly boast about
having the first prison ministry.
The joyful worship of God was the primary focus of the early church during gatherings. Reading of the
Holy Scriptures was a very important part of their worship gatherings and life together. Preachers
today who seem to focus sermons based primarily on promises, blessings, prosperity and spiritual
manifestations need to redirect their attention and efforts more toward the word of God, not His gifts.
Too many churches focus on what God can do for you and bring people in by preaching blessings. How
many foolish people run to the gifts and not the giver? These false teachers have one focus and they
know human nature and our selfish motivations. We need to look to God not to gifts. God wants to
bless and will bless His obedient children but blessings are a bonus of His love for us; and not
necessarily material.
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise
shall continually be in my mouth. (Ps 34:1)
shall continually be in my mouth. (Ps 34:1)
| Draw Near to God Part 2 Praise and worship |
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