“Make a
joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come
into his presence with singing!” (Psa. 100:1-2)
Biblical worship is an
active expression of sober joy. It is an exercise of reverent celebration. It
is easy to forget this in the midst of set liturgy. We can simply show up, go
through the motions, follow along in the worship order and hymnal, and then
return to our homes. But worship is to engage the hearts and minds of the
worshippers. The New Testament assumes the gathered church will participate
in the songs and prayers and teaching of the Word (1Cor. 14:6-40). There are
some inappropriate ways Christians are not to act in the worship assemblies,
but the reason the gathering is to be conducted “decently and in order” is so
that “all may learn and all be encouraged.” Every person is to benefit. The
service is not a show, but a gathered family, and the elements of worship are
to be led in a way that permits all to profit from the service.
The NT assumes that if we
understand and affirm the prayers led in the assembly, the congregation will
say, “Amen!” (1Cor. 14:16-17) Our singing is an act of “addressing one another”
(Eph. 5:19) as a way of “teaching and admonishing one another” (Col. 3:16) in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. We are speaking the words of these songs
to each other, reminding one another of precious truths. The NT describes the
church singing, not merely listening or observing. We should sing
out for the encouragement and edification of the Body. We are to be “singing
and making melody to the Lord” with sincere hearts. When we hear God’s Word
proclaimed, His promise of absolution declared, or receive His benediction, we
lift up our heads and hearts to behold the glory and the beauty of God’s mercy
and truth (Psa. 119:148; 121:1-2; 123:1).
Our corporate worship is to
be just that, corporate. It is not a time to draw attention to the
individual. The focus of our attention in worship is God. We sing psalms and
hymns, say “Amen,” confess our faith and sin, and receive God’s Word and
blessing together. But this does not mean we sit or stand blankly,
coldly completing the liturgy before us. We engage in worship together with
hearts full of gratitude and joy. Worship is an act of sober joy. Every Lord’s
Day should be a reverent celebration. –JME
