Worship in the Psalms

The Psalms are a collection of poems, songs, and literature derived from expressions of worship. The Psalms display the most diverse forms and theology of worship and we are going to examine some of those today. 

Within the Psalms, we have some literature that focuses on who God is in the cosmos. This is important for our understanding of worship. God should be our only focus of worship and some of the Psalms focus on God as Creator, Provider, Protector, King, etc (Psalm 19, 47). Our focus should not be on the logistics of what worship looks like or sounds like but centered on who God is and why we are engaged in worship. 

Our worship should include intimate personal worship but also communal. It is important that we unite as one body of people to worship God but also the Psalms reflect our need to be more personal with our Creator. 

Psalm 42 is an excellent example of the range of motions included in worship. Worship is not always joyful and upbeat. Sometimes the most heartfelt worship and expression comes from the hardest moments in life, through our grief and despair when we cry out to God for mercy or help. 

Psalms 120-134 is known as the Psalms of Ascent. The Israelites would recite these poems on their journey to Jerusalem for certain festivals. It reminded them of their God and all they had to be grateful for. Our worship should include moments like this where we recite Scriptures that remind of our great and powerful God. Psalms 34 is one that reflects spontaneous worship that comes out of certain situations. Psalms 147-150 are known as the Hallalel songs that were meant as praise to Yahweh. These two ways of worship should not be excluded and both are appropriate in their own time. 

The Psalms teach that in all situations and circumstances, worship should be a way of expressing gratitude, grief, hope, and joy. In any situation worship is appropriate because we serve a God who is deserving of all our worship, our entire lives. Our worship should not be focused on the how, when, or where. Rather true worship expresses itself through love, thankfulness, and a desire to honor the Creator.