Worship: A Study in PsalmsSample

What does it say?

Sing for joy and bow down before the Lord with thanksgiving. Praise His name, proclaim His salvation, declare His marvelous deeds, and worship in the splendor of His holiness.

What does it mean?

Today’s psalms describe what true worship looks like. If a nation ever had reason to sing for joy or to declare their God as worthy of praise, it was Israel. Yet time after time, they repeated the sins of their fathers by turning to false gods and hardening their hearts to their Creator and Shepherd. Although they sang the words of these psalms regularly in the temple, they failed to do what the songs said – truly worship the Lord. A tender heart toward God results from recognizing His greatness, thanking Him regularly, submitting to His will, and looking for His imminent return.

How should I respond?

Participation in weekly worship services is great, but it doesn’t mean you’ve truly worshipped the Lord. Worship is a lifestyle that goes beyond singing on Sunday. It involves seeing exactly who God is, regardless of the circumstances He has allowed in your life. Like Israel, we live in God’s blessings, but we often stop short of complete submission to His Word. When you sense that happening, find a reason to thank and praise God immediately. As you turn your thoughts to Jesus in those moments, you’ll be reminded that worshipping Him is the reason we exist, and it is the one thing we will do for all eternity. Will you accept the psalmist’s invitation to worship the Lord today?