What is worship? What is praise?  What is worship and what does it mean to worship and praise God?  Learn how Christian worship and praise are different! Discover the heart of worshiping and praising God…

What is worship? Difference between praise and worship

To praise God:

To praise God is to esteem or prize God.  Praise comes from the old French word PRESIER which means `TO PRIZE’. Praise is to acknowledge God for His virtues (nature) and His accomplishments. Praise lifts your eyes from your circumstances – to your Almighty Father Who is ruler over all.  Praise lifts your eyes from the battle to the victory, for Christ is already victor.

As King David declared in Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth”. (AMP.)

 “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, let God be magnified.”  Psalm 70:4. (KJV)

 We see clearly then, that praise to God means that we have an understanding and appreciation for God’s nature and what He has done for us.

1. Praise God for His righteousness

“My tongue will speak of your righteousness and your praises all day long”  (Psalm 35:28).

2. Praise God for His Word

“In God, whose word I praise.”  (Psalm 56:10)  literally: to praise His promises.

3.  Praise God for His Name

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory” (Psalm 115:1).

4. Praise God for His works

“One generation will commend your works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts.”  “All Thy works shall give thanks to thee, O Lord.”  (Psalm 145:4,10 NAS.)

Difference between praise and worship

Praise is a command, worship is a privilege.   Praise is our declaration of Who God is – God you are wonderful, compassionate, loving. Worship is participating in Who God is – God you really are wonderful, compassionate, loving.

According to Steve Fry of Church On The Way in California, “Worship allows the very presence of God to be experienced by us.  It is a moment by moment walking in love with Jesus.”  Worship is a lifestyle of being totally committed to Christ, every day of the week and every moment of the day.

This is what Romans 12:1 means when the Apostle urges us to: “Offer your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship.”

There is no way we can passively worship if we understand the real meaning of worship. Steve Fry also states, “Where we have a people who worship, we have a people moving in evangelism and having power for effective spiritual warfare.”

To worship God:

Worship is: Adoring the Godhead

1.  The Godhead worships

Though difficult to understand, from a human point of view, we can affirm that, within the three Persons of the Godhead, there is an interchange or expression of worth and appreciation.

 Holy Spirit – Jesus.  Speaking of the Holy Spirit, “He shall glorify me” John 16:14 (KJV).  Jesus – Father.  I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do’ John 17:4. Father – Jesus.  “I have given them the glory that you gave me John 17:22.  Father, Son – Holy Spirit.  “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven” Mark 3:29.

2.  God created us in order that He could give Himself to us  – unselfishly

Adoration is a selfless expression of appreciation.

3.  God made us to worship – all worship something – (car; sport; job or money)

4.  It is God’s purpose that our lifestyle be the overflow of our adoration to God

Can you imagine angels coming into the presence of God with their wings in their pockets?  No!  It is unthinkable.   Likewise, we should understand that to truly worship, the object of our worship (God) should demand all our attention.  For God’s presence provokes complete response – captivating your whole mind.

Worship is: Communion with God

Spiritual intimacy is essential so that a praying person can reproduce God’s actions in the practical day to day world.

Daniel 11:32. “…..But the people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” strong = firm, durable  exploits = daring acts/bold deeds

Hebrew word for ‘know’ is: “YADA”.   The same word “YADA” is used in Genesis 4:1: “Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived.”   “koinonia” is the Greek word in the New Testament with the same meaning for communion, fellowship, intimacy.

In our world, the human illustration of the spiritual dimension has been marred.  “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.  This is a profound mystery – but I am talking of Christ and the Church.” (Ephesians 5:31-32)

 God’s desire is to establish a spiritual intimacy with His people, in order that He may reproduce His glory and blessing in and through us.  Listen to God’s heart being grieved, because of broken communion.

Related Links:
What prevents us from getting closer to God?
Session 10: https://breakfreetoday.org/session-10/