God’s word has a lot to say about praise and worship. The purpose of praise and worship—as it relates to singing, dancing, and praying—is to create an intimate space between you and the Lord, allowing Him to speak directly to your heart in such a way you are drawn nearer to Him. As a result, He is glorified, and you go deeper into your identity in Him.
What Are Praise and Worship?
If you ask 100 people, “What are praise and worship?” you would get 100 different answers. This is because praise and worship are personal, uniquely touching the hearts of believers. But you would also find a common theme in the answers—the mouth sings what is in the heart.
Luke 6:45 reads, “… For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Praise and worship are opportunities to speak from your heart to the heart of God.
When you praise and worship, you speak, sing, declare, and proclaim who God is and His power, as well as who you are as His child. Again, it reflects a connection—an intimate space—between you and Him.
Praise and Worship Are Also This…
There are also other ways to worship the Lord…
- Reading the word
- Joining others to discuss the word
- Giving
- Sharing your testimony
- Praying
Why Are Praise and Worship Important?
A Purposeful Way to Do Spiritual Warfare
The purpose of praise and worship is to create a connection between you and the Lord. It’s a way to do spiritual warfare, which is critical in a believer’s life. You know the enemy prowls around like a lion waiting to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Praise and worship—done in spirit and truth—create a protective wall around your heart.
The Bible says you overcome the enemy by the blood and the “word of your testimony.” Praise and worship are words of your testimony—your testimony of who God is and who you are in Him.
Revelation 12:11
- “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
A Purposeful Way to Step into God’s Will
The Bible says to rejoice, pray, and thank God, for this is His will. Praise and worship are ways to rejoice, pray, and thank God for what He is doing, has done, and will do. Worship songs speak truth in their lyrics. When you join in song, the words speak to your soul.
Many ask, “What is God’s will?” The word clearly states it is to rejoice! Worshipping and rejoicing are often overlooked parts of doing the will of God. Furthermore, many people receive a deeper understanding of God’s will in other areas of their lives while in praise and worship.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
A Purposeful Way to Invite God’s Presence
Corporate praise and worship are important, and so are personal praise and worship. God wants to hear your voice, your words, your cares, and your heart. He wants you to enter into His presence. The Bible says God inhabits, or enthrones, in the praises of His people.
When you magnify God, singing of His wonderous works—from creation to the cross and into eternity—you invite Him into your life. It honors His greatness and focuses your mind on Him, no matter the season you are walking.
Psalm 22:3
- “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
10 Bible Verses About Praise and Worship
- “O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”—Isaiah 25:1
- “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”—Psalm 150:6
- “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”—Psalm 28:7
- “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”—Psalm 63:3-4
- “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”—Psalm 9:1-3
- “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”—Psalm 42:11
- “Then David danced before the Lord with all his might… So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet… ‘Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.’”—2 Samuel 6:14, 15, 21-22
- “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.’ Selah Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men. He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in Him.”—Psalm 661-6
- “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.”—Psalm 100:1-5
- “Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to the Lord with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth … Sing praises to God, sing praises! … For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding.”—Psalm 47:1, 6-7
Ready to Worship in Spirit and Truth?
As you have found, the purpose of praise and worship is to create an intimate space between you and the Lord.
Praise and worship are part of God’s great design for fellowship and communion both with the Body of Christ and with Him!
If you want a way to bring praise and worship in spirit and truth into your daily life, check out some of our newest releases here.
- Worship the Father
- Magnify His name
- Express your love
- Step into His presence
- Be filled with the Holy Spirit
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
—John 4:23-24
