Worship Word 1: H7812

You can find the introduction to my series on worship HERE.

Our first Hebrew word for worship is Strong's Number H7812. 

It is a verb that is used to mean worship (99x), bow (31x), bow down (18x), obeisance (9x), reverence (5x), fall down (3x), themselves (2x), stoop (1x), crouch (1x), and some miscellaneous word (3x).

Overall, this word means to bow down, to prostrate oneself (before a superior, God in worship, false gods, or an angel). 

So our first worship word is associated with bowing down in worship. Obeisance is a deferential respect that can be shown by bowing or curtsying. Reverence is to show a deep respect for someone or something in regard to how we treat them. 

In churches today, we tend to associate worship with songs instead of with bowing down before God.

Challenge of the Week: 

Bow down before God. 

Show Him a deferential respect and reverence through your posture. 

Notice how your posture impacts your thoughts and prayers.

Worship: The Starting Perspective of Liz o' the Niche

Worship is...

It involves praising God for who He is. We can tell God about His attributes that we notice and appreciate.

It involves thanking God for what He has done. We can tell God about His actions that we have noticed and appreciate. 

Worship is complimenting God

I view worship through the lens of human compliments.

If I give a compliment that I don't mean, then it's not a sincere and meaningful compliment.

If I give a compliment, just because it's there on the screen to read, then it's not heartfelt. 

If I give a compliment that is backhanded or false, then it's not a good compliment.

If I give a compliment that isn't appreciated by the recipient, then although I meant well, it is not well received. 

In order to give good compliments, I need to figure out what the other person values and what is something I can genuinely compliment.  

Worship is separate from other ways of approaching God

Petition

Intercession

Lament

Complaint

Wordless/Silence

What would my ideal worship look like? 

I wanted to map out what I viewed as my ideal worship style before my rabbit trail of research: 

*God is the subject of our worship song sentences.

*God is the object of worship song sentences.

*simple, quiet music (not too loud or a distraction)

*only worship/praise/thanksgiving songs

*time for silent contemplation

*worship style of the week: description, explanation, time to practice. 

*consider the words you are saying. change them to be meaningful

*name the song category before singing & describe how this changes our approach to God (intercession song, petition song, lament song, etc.)