Defining Words of Worship, Research Paper Example

Table of Contents

Introduction. 2

Old Testament Worship. 2

New Testament Worship. 3

Conclusion. 4

Works Cited. 5

Introduction

In both the Old Testament and New Testament, the central theme of worship is seen and practiced by the Jewish believers for centuries, as shown by the meaningful way it is portrayed and followed. In particular, there are six specific expressions of worship that highlight its meaning and centrality, which are demonstrated and shown herein. The basis of this discussion will be centred on Hill’s book, ‘Enter His Courts with Praise!’, as defining the words of worship in the context of Judeo-Christian values is presented.

Old Testament Worship

The Holy Scriptures show the wonderful way that worship was preserved, and also increased, especially during the Old Testament times. Although worship took several forms and meanings, the key meaning of the word ‘worship in the Hebrew language is known as ‘darash’, which translated, means seek or inquire¹. As aforementioned, there are three specific terms or words used particularly in the Old Testament that illustrate darash, or worship in a common form.

Firstly, the word ‘sing’ is used in the Old Testament ninety-six times, which is the most frequently used terms of the three mentioned herein. This expression of worship is often used in the Book of Psalms by King David and his fellow worshippers. As music was culturally shaped, it was often found in the singing of worship songs that praise was ascribed to God². Due to the use of this word, it was often featured in songs themselves, which were creatively written and sung by many of the Jews and Christians thereafter.

As found mostly in the largest book in the Old Testament, the Book of Psalms illustrates man’s dependence on his God, and God’s blessing to His people. This word of worship was often used in times of praise and adoration, especially after receiving the gift of God’s favour or blessing. The singing of the Jewish nation was important to the people, because it stemmed from gratitude, fear and awe³.

Secondly, the worshipful expression of the Jewish people was symbolised in the word ‘clap’. This word carried a sense of accompaniment to traditional worship, seen as an outward expression of inner joy. This audible addition to worship was only mentioned a few times in the Old Testament, as it was often reserved for special events or circumstances in which the Jews were compelled to express themselves in such a way as to give reverence to God.

The word ‘clap’ was only used sparingly in the Old Testament (see table 1). However, it’s meaning and influence in the traditional sense of Jewish worship was valued as quite special and as a testament to God’s goodness. As the word implies, it was very important to see such worship expressed in this way, especially in the context of worship centralised in Jewish culture.

Thirdly, the word ‘shout’ is arguably most expressive of all the words of worship mentioned in the Old Testament. Used fifty-nine times, it was used in various circumstances, especially when the Jews were facing insurmountable odds, or when they shouted their praise to God in an expression of victory. Known as a praise phenomenon, the word shout was often used in Old Testament times as a worshipful expression⁴.

Table 1: Expressive Terms of Worship

As an important way of expressing worship openly, the words of worship described in the Old Testament times were very expressive towards God as a means of gathering the community in unity. As worship took the forefront of showing the faith of the Jews, the Christians were also able to show their worship in principle. This transition from the forefront to the backdrop was often prioritized by the development of worship from open song to specific action.

New Testament Worship

From the Old Testament Times to New Testament times, the gap in time is bridged by the continuing theme of worship, though it continually developed into a lifestyle rather than a loud expression. Similar to the Old Testament, the words of worship used in the New Testament also cover three major expressions, although the frequency of the words gradually increases through the New Testament (see Figure 1).

The fourth word in the Holy Scriptures, and the first word used in the New Testament as shown here is the word ‘serve’. Worship as service challenged the New Testament believers to place worship as an integral part of the Christian walk, as given by Jesus Christ’s example. No longer restricted to temple worship, worship expressed through service to others ultimately gave glory to God. Believers are encouraged to make daily worship a vital part of their lives⁵.

Often seen as an exhortation by many of the apostles of the New Testament, in particular the Apostle Paul, the believers showed their worship by ministering to one another; and also extended this service to those outside the faith. This form of worship showed the heart of service of many of the Christian believers, and one that heavily influenced the Christian life for generations to come.

The fifth word in the New Testament is the word ‘praise’. This is one of the connecting ties between the Old Testament and New Testament times. Mentioned more frequently than the word ‘serve’, it was an expression of thankfulness to God for his continuing providence to His people. This also extended to the praise of Jesus, and became a familiar feature in early New Testament worship⁶.

Figure 1: Breadth and Usage of Words

As Jesus was seen as the mediator between God and man, it was natural to ascribe this expression of worship to Him, as was encouraged by Jesus Himself.

Finally, the word ‘honor’ as mentioned in the New Testament, is the most frequent of all terms of worship used in the second-half of the Holy Scriptures. Honoring someone to whom it is rightly due was used for both human contexts and divine, with an emphasis on God-ward worship^{7, 8}.

As a symbolic gesture, honor is considered as one of the highest expressions of worship, as given to God, who is to be ascribed the worship due Him. As used both in the Old Testament and New Testament, it is particularly used to express the worship through Christ Jesus. For the purpose of worship, to give honor to those who are to be honored, is one of the most highly acclaimed and highly valued of the words used in the Holy Scriptures.

As the book of Revelation exhorts “Worship God”, we must use expressions of worship to sing, clap, shout, serve, praise and honor the Lord who is above all. For this to be our lifestyle, and to live out these words in expressive worship, is to be the defining motto of our lives.

?onclusion

In summary, the words of worship described in both the Old Testament and New Testament tell the story of the Judeo-Christian expression of the lifestyle to be modelled, for both past and future generations. In particular, the six expressive words, as seen in the Old and New Testaments, together illustrate the importance of worship for Jews and Christians alike, and show the importance of worship that is to be modelled in our lives today.

?otes

1. Hill, Enter His Courts with Praise! 2.

2. Keener, “The Tabernacle and Contextual Worship”, 127.

3. Friedmann, “The Victory of Confession”, 61.

4. Pinson, Perspectives on Christian Worship 152.

5. Vaught, Worship Models and Music in Spiritual Formation 104.

6. Hurtado, At the Origins of Christian Worship 88.

7. Kurtz, God’s Word, the Final Word 148.

8. Rimbo, Why Worship Matter, 78.

Bibliography

Andrew Hill, Enter His Courts with Praise! Old Testament Worship for the New Testament Church. (Michigan: Baker Books, 1993), 2-4.

Craig Keener, “The Tabernacle and Contextual Worship”, The Ashbury Journal 67, no. 1 (August 2013): 127-138.

Jonathan Friedmann, “The Victory of Confession: Ashamnu, the Shirah, and Musical Symbolism in Jewish Worship”, Intermountain West Journal of Religious Studies 2, no. 1 (June 2010): 61.

Matthew Pinson, Perspectives on Christian Worship: 5 Views. (Nashville: Broadman and Holdman, 2009), 152.

Lyndel Vaught, “Worship Models and Music in Spiritual Formation”, Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging 22, no. 1 (December 2009): 104-119.

Larry Hurtado, At the Origins of Christian Worship: The Context and Character of Earliest Christian Devotion. (Carlisle: Pasternoster, 1999), 88.

Dean Kurtz, God’s Word, the Final Word: On Worship and Music, a Biblical Study. (Sacramento: Xulon, 2008), 148-149.

Robert Rimbo, Why Worship Matters. (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 2004), 78.