diverse responses

This past Sunday our faith community began a very helpful discussion on worship. The thesis behind our conversation is this: worship is the only possible response to what God has done for us. When a person finally comes to understand who God is and who they are, worship just spills out of them. And worship does not just mean music or singing. It may include that, but worship is a lifestyle, a perspective, a paradigm by which we live. Our moment-by-moment existence can literally become a living “Thank You” note to God.

But what does worship look like? How exactly do we go about worshipping God? Those are excellent questions with very interesting answers. The great and amazing thing about worship is that it’s basically all okay. As long as our hearts are pure and we’re doing it for the right reasons, God is pleased with any response we give Him. Certainly there will be times God gently nudges us outside our comfort zones, but for the most part we can feel free to worship/respond to God in any way we feel comfortable. And the Bible is overflowing with a myriad of diverse responses (aka “worship”) to the grace of God.

The Hebrew language, which is predominantly what the Old Testament was written in, has seven (7) different words that can be translated in English as “worship.”

Yadah means “to confess and/or surrender.” It implies the giving of oneself in adoration, to lift hands unto the Lord. It carries the meaning of absolute surrender as a young child does to a parent. An example of this word is used in 2 Chronicles 20:21 where the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, goes out to fight a battle he knows he cannot possibly win. So, as they began to march out, he instructs the people to worship (yadah) the Lord.

Tehillah means “to sing a spontaneous song.” People often talk about having “a song in their heart”…that’s the essence of this form of worship. It’s an unprepared, unrehearsed melody that is sung to God and God alone. Evidently, when the people hear Jehoshaphat’s instructions in the above passage, they burst forth in this kind of spontaneous worship to God (verse 22) and as they do…well, I don’t want to spoil the story for you.

Barak means “to kneel or bow.” We give reverence to God as an act of admiration. It implies giving place to God continually and intentionally; blessing the Lord, extolling His virtues. The subjects of the Kingdom of God kneel or bow to their King to demonstrate that He is King and that we yield ourselves to Him. Psalm 95:6-7 says “come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.”

Halal means “to celebrate foolishly.” It implies a clamorous, boasting kind of show in which we rave, celebrate and glorify God; quite literally to act like a madman/woman. This word appears over 110 times in the Old Testament. An example is in Nehemiah 12:24 when the people of Israel are finally able to finish the protective wall around Jerusalem. Their dedication and celebration was obviously not a quiet little tea party.

Towdah means “to extend the hand in adoration or agreement.” We agree with God’s word and believe, by faith, that He is always good and always right. It is worship not just for the acts of God, but simply for His existence and presence. We may not possess what we need in a natural sense, but we trust God and thank Him for blessings and grace regardless. In Jonah 2:9 we see an example of this. After the prophet runs away from his calling, is thrown in the ocean and swallowed by “a great fish,” his perspective drastically changes. He worships (towdah) God, is spit out alive by the fish, and then, in total agreement with God, heads toward the fulfillment of his calling.

Zamar means “to make music.” This is probably the form of worship that the majority of people are used to and/or comfortable with. It suggests vocal music, instrumental music or both. This word is found 37 times in the book of Psalms alone. An example is Psalm 66:4: “All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to You, they sing praise to Your name.”

Shabach means “to shout.” It is a proclamation in a loud tone or voice. It is how we pronounce our unashamed testimony and commitment to God. It is a holistic, uninhibited, physical declaration of the glory, triumph, power, mercy and love of our Savior. King David tells the people of God to cry out to the Lord for help so that we can shout thanks to His name and glory in His praise (1 Chronicles 16:35).

And that’s just the Hebrew language of the Old Testament! The Greek of the New Testament builds upon and complements this beautiful understanding with stunning word pictures. Here are just a few examples.

Agalliao means “to jump for joy and be exceedingly glad” (i.e. Luke 10:21).
Proskuneo means “to kiss toward” (i.e. Matthew 28:9).
Chairo means “to rejoice or hail” (i.e. Philippians 4:4).
Doxazo means “to render glory and honor” (i.e. Luke 18:43).
Hallomai means “to jump, gush, leap, spring up” (i.e. Acts 3:8).
Homologeo means “to assent, covenant, promise” (i.e. Hebrews 13:15).
Megaluno means “to make or declare great, extol, enlarge, magnify” (i.e. Acts 10:46).

Obviously worship is an extremely diverse response from an extremely diverse people. It’s not a science, but an art. There is no formula, but there is one requirement: do it with a pure heart. As Jesus advises the woman at the well, simply worship “in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-4). On your mark…get set…worship!