Worship: A Study in PsalmsSample

What does it say?

God rebuked the wicked in Israel who made sacrifices and recited His laws but hated His instruction. God will summon Heaven and Earth to judge His people.

What does it mean?

This is the first of 12 psalms attributed to Asaph, one of King David’s chief musicians. Asaph’s words paint the image of a courtroom where God is the accuser, witness, judge, and jury. The accusation was twofold: empty worship followed by hypocritical living. Some of the people who gathered to worship said all the right things, yet nothing in their lives backed up what they professed to believe. They approached God as if He needed their sacrifices rather than sincerely seeing their need for His pardon of their sins. The passage is also prophetic. It speaks of God’s judgment of the nation of Israel at the end of the great tribulation. Until then, God’s chosen people live in the age of grace – salvation is still available to all who wish to honor Him.

How should I respond?

Today’s passage is a call to stop and examine how we worship the Lord and live in His service. The two are inherently tied to each other. How you worship affects how you live, and how you live should magnify your worship. What accusations can God make regarding these aspects of your life? Has your worship of Jesus become routine and insincere? Have you become arrogant, thinking that God needs what you do for Him rather than seeing how He uses your service to shape your character and dependence on Him? This week, pay particular attention to the words you sing during the worship service and the conversations you have in your small group. Make it a point to put those elements into practice as you leave the church building and go into the mission field of your city. Sincere worship leads to authentic Christianity.