Praise and Worship, a simple phrase. Most of us have a basic understanding of what it means. But beyond the songs and the Sunday services what do the acts of Praising and Worshipping mean to us and our faith? Can we explain in simple understandable terms what Praise and Worship entails? Can we describe the difference between the two words?
Many would think of Praise as the first part of the song service, the upbeat songs, the ones that get us all gathered together to sing to the Lord. However, Praise goes further and deeper than that. It is said to be something that should be continuously on our lips. It is the act of exalting or lifting up God and His attributes. “Proclaiming aloud Your praise and telling of all Your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 26:7 NIV)
Worship can be defined as ascribing worth to someone. It is the acknowledgement of who God is and the fact that He sovereign. “Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him all the earth.” (Psalm 96:9) Worship bring us to our knees with the understanding that He is holy.
I often find it a great study with my worship leaders to dissect and really understand the difference between Praise and Worship, and then look at how they are inseparable, how they are forever linked. We Praise God for what he has done; we recognize His attributes and therefore ascribe or give Worth. We Worship because He is Worthy to be praised. “ I call to the Lord, who is worthy of Praise”
(2 Samuel 22:4 NIV) Praise and Worship extends beyond the services, beyond the songs and is lived out in our daily lives in practical tangible ways.
The writing below from an unaccredited source sums up these ideas succinctly and is a great tool to use alongside the Bible when working with your worship leaders.
Praise enjoys God
Worship esteems Him
Praise Acclaims Him
Worship beholds Him
Praise lifts
Worship bows
Praise lauds
Worship loves
Praise Celebrates
Worship humbly reveres
Praise Addresses God
Worship waits on god
Praise dances
Worship removes shoes for holy ground
Praise extols God for what He has done
Worship extols him for who He is
Praise lifts us to heavenly places
Worship Lifts God to His rightful place – the throne
Praise says “Praise the Lord”
Worship demonstrates that “He is Lord”
Praise is grateful for heirship to the throne
Worship lays crowns at His feet
Anonymous