What is worship? This is a phrase that Christians often use to describe singing songs together, or a genre of music. But is that what it really means? Let’s find out as we explore the meaning of this important word.
When Christians use the word “worship” to refer to music and singing, they’re actually right to do so. The Bible frequently makes this connection, encouraging God’s people to worship God through song, to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. To Sing to the Lord because of who He is and what He has done. But this just scratches the surface of what worship really is and what it means.
The best way to understand worship is to think about what is most important to us. Whatever that is, is what we worship. It holds the place of highest priority in our hearts; it is what we value more than anything else.
But who or what should we worship? Christians believe God alone is worthy of worship, and that all worship exists to give Him the honor and praise that is His due, because of who He is and what He has done for us by sending Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners.
Worship in the truest sense extends into all of life: The way we work, how we conduct ourselves in our relationships, how we handle money and practice generosity… Everything we do is an act of worship, intended to encourage and strengthen other Christians while showing those who do not know God how incredible he is.