Worship is a central theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, we see examples of worshippers glorifying God, receiving instruction on how to worship, and being transformed through authentic worship. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical teachings on worship:
The Call to Worship
God created humanity for the purpose of worship. After creating man and woman, “God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth'” (Genesis 1:28 ESV). Our stewardship over creation is an act of worship.
Furthermore, in Revelation 4 we see a picture of continuous worship around God’s throne, as the four living creatures never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8 ESV). We are called to give God nonstop worship and thanks for who He is and what He has done.
What It Means to Worship
The Hebrew word most commonly translated as “worship” in the Old Testament is “shachah,” which means to bow down or prostrate oneself before God. It is an outward expression of reverence and honor. Likewise, in the New Testament, the Greek word “proskuneo” refers to falling down or kneeling before God in worship and veneration. Worship therefore requires an attitude of awe and submission towards the Almighty.
True worship goes beyond just outward postures. God desires worshippers who will worship Him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24 ESV). This includes heartfelt praise and thanks for who God is, along with living out our adoration through obedience to His Word.
The Object of Our Worship
The Bible makes it clear that God alone is worthy of our worship. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus responded, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve” (Luke 4:8 ESV). Idolatry, or the worship of anything other than the one true God, is strongly condemned throughout Scripture.
In Exodus 20:3-6 we find the first of the Ten Commandments: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God” (ESV). God demands exclusive worship.
Reverence in Worship
Worship should be marked by awe and reverence for the glory, majesty and holiness of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 instructs us to “offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (ESV). Leviticus 10 records the serious consequences when Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire before the Lord.
At the same time, Scripture invites us to come boldly into God’s presence. Because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, Hebrews 4:16 says we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence.” Our reverence is tempered by the intimacy and access we enjoy as beloved children of God.
Sacrificial Worship
Worship in the Old Testament centered around the sacrificial system. Animal sacrifices and offerings were presented as ways to express devotion, celebrate God’s goodness, atone for sins, and foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Israelites were to bring their “firstfruits” to the Lord (Exodus 23:19), giving their best to God as an act of worship.
Similarly, Romans 12:1 exhorts Christ-followers to present their bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” Hebrews 13:15 speaks of the sacrifice of praise we make to God through our lips. Worship involves dedicating all that we have and all that we are back to the One who created us.
The Role of Music in Worship
Music and song have been integral to worship throughout Scripture. Exodus 15 records Moses and the Israelites singing a song of triumph after God defeated the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. Many Psalms instruct us to “sing to the Lord a new song” and to praise Him with music and dancing.
The Book of Psalms was Israel’s hymnbook, used both in public worship and private devotion. In the New Testament, Paul instructs Christians to address one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, “singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians 5:19 ESV). Music is a valuable tool to glorify God and express our affection for Him.
Worship as Relationship
Worship is meant to be an intimate encounter with the living God. Jesus told the woman at the well that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him” (John 4:23 ESV). God earnestly desires relationship with those who worship Him.
The triune nature of God also points to the relational aspect of worship. We worship the Father, Son and Spirit in unity. As we fellowship with God through worship, we reflect the spiritual communion shared by members of the Trinity.
Individual and Congregational Worship
The Bible shows that worship is both personal and corporate. Christ-followers are instructed to worship both privately and when gathered with other believers. In Matthew 6:6 Jesus tells us to go into our inner room, shut the door, and pray to the Father in secret. But Hebrews 10:25 commands us not to neglect gathering together for worship and mutual encouragement.
The Book of Psalms again models this balance, with many psalms directed toward individual worship and others focused on praising God in the temple courts amidst the congregation. Both private and corporate worship are key elements of the Christian life.
Expressions of Worship
The Bible models diverse expressions of worship. The most frequently mentioned are praise, prayer, singing, confession of sin, offerings, prostration, dancing, making music, and celebrating communion. Crying out “Holy, holy, holy!” appears repeatedly throughout Scripture.
Some examples include: raising hands in praise (Psalm 134:2), kneeling or lying face down (1 Kings 18:39), dancing and leaping for joy (2 Samuel 6:16), playing musical instruments (Psalm 150:3-5), anointing with oil (Psalm 23:5), foot washing (John 13:5-17), and silent awe (Revelation 8:1).
When our worship springs from hearts enraptured by God’s glory, all these physical expressions become meaningful ways to outwardly reflect our inward adoration.
Hindrances to Worship
The Bible also warns against hindrances to genuine worship. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for prioritizing human rules and traditions over God’s Word (Mark 7:8-9). Their worship had become mere lip service rather than authentic devotion. Going through the motions of worship rituals without the heart to back it up does not please God.
Idolatry is also consistently decried as incompatible with true worship. In Ezekiel 14:3 God condemns those who “have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces.” God refuses to be worshipped alongside false gods or priorities that displace Him in our affections.
Attitudes for Worship
Certain heart postures characterize true worship throughout Scripture. These include: repentance and humility (James 4:10), gratitude (Psalm 100:4), joy (Psalm 95:1-2), reverent fear (Psalm 89:7), sincerity (Joshua 24:14), freedom (Galatians 5:1), awe (Psalm 138:2), and a hunger for God’s presence (Psalm 63:1-2).
It’s not enough just to go through outward motions. God looks at the heart and desires worship in spirit and truth that flows from a transformed inner life. As we yield ourselves fully to Him, our worship overflows in genuine adoration.
The Impact of Worship
Worship strengthens our faith and frames our perspective on life. The Psalms are filled with reminders of how God has worked in the past, spurring the psalmists’ gratitude and trust. Worshipping God realigns our focus from earthly troubles to eternal hope.
Exodus 34:29 tells us Moses’ face shone radiantly after encountering God’s presence. Like him, as we spend time beholding God our lives are transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). A lifestyle of worship ushers in God’s power and presence.
Eternity Filled with Worship
The Bible begins and ends with worship. Revelation 4:11 declares, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power.” Revelation 5:9 proclaims Jesus as worthy “to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 19:1 concludes: “After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just.'” We were created to worship God, and will continue glorifying Him forever.