Praise, Thanksgiving, and Worship

February 19, 2015 by Nancy Ruegg

The drummer begins a snappy, energizing beat.

The guitarists add moving chords.

The keyboard player joins with a compelling melody and attention-grabbing harmony.

Then the leader of the band enthusiastically proclaims, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Please stand and join me as we praise and worship our awesome God!”

It’s a familiar scene for those who attend a contemporary or blended worship service.

Have you ever wondered why we are invited to praise and worship? Aren’t the two words just synonyms for each other?

That’s what I thought for a long time. Then a worship leader explained that the upbeat praise songs we sing first are designed to help us focus on God instead of the many mind-distractions vying for attention.

After a time of praise, he said, we are more receptive to the quieter, more reverent songs of worship. He likened our musical journey to the movement of Bible time worshipers, from the outer courts of the temple to the inner court.

Since then, I’ve learned more insights into the difference between praise and worship. For example:

Praise is an expression of approval and admiration, exalting God for who he is. We praise him for his wonderful attributes, like love, wisdom, power, and holiness. He is certainly worthy of every word of praise we can offer (Psalm 18:3).

But we can also praise people for their attributes. Even the family dog earns praise for being a good boy or girl! Praise is relatively easy to give. It costs us nothing except a little thoughtfulness and a little time.

A close relative of praise is thanksgiving. Just as we praise God for who he is, we express gratitude for what he does.

Worship, on the other hand, is exclusive. God is the only One worthy of our worship (Luke 4:8).

The word, worship, comes to us from Old English: weorth (worth) and scipe (ship). When we express our awe, love, and respect to God, we are proclaiming his worth to us.

True worship also includes humility, honesty, and surrender (John 4:24; Psalm 119:7):

Humility as we recognize God’s supremacy,
Honesty as we confess our inadequacy and sin,
Surrender as we relinquish our wills to his all-wise control.

Worship also draws us closer to God (Psalm 145:18), which is not just for Sunday mornings. Worship (as well as praise and thanksgiving) is designed by God to permeate our every day lives.

It’s as if praise, worship, and thanksgiving are tributaries, streaming together to form one great river. Three becoming one. Not like a braid, with three plaits woven side-by-side but still separate entities. No–a blending together into a whole, the parts no longer distinguishable.

Praise from a worshipful heart—one that is characterized by humility, honesty, and surrender—is the most sincere.

Thanksgiving that celebrates God’s goodness in his actions and praises God’s greatness of character, is the most complete.

Worship that includes sincere praise and complete gratitude is the most beautiful.

* * * * * * * * * *

Every day, Lord, you manifest your greatness to me. May I be quick to offer you praise, thanksgiving, and worship, because you are worthy of no less. And thank you for the gift of worship, for the overwhelming privilege of basking in your glorious and holy Light.

(Photo credit: www.blog.nextlevelworship.com.)

Posted in Humility, Praise, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, Worship | Tagged Gratitude, Humility, John 4:24, Luke 4:8, Praise, Praise and Worship, Psalm 119:7, Psalm 145:18, Psalm 18:3, Thanksgiving, Worship | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on February 19, 2015 at 12:22 pm | Reply jeanwise

What a clear and beautiful explanation coming directly from your heart.
- on February 20, 2015 at 4:42 pm | Reply Nancy Ruegg
  
  Thank you, Jean. I do desire to worship God as he deserves. I know you do, too!
on February 19, 2015 at 3:54 pm | Reply Nikki Stanley

Your prayer was wonderful. I have made it mine, also.
- on February 20, 2015 at 4:44 pm | Reply Nancy Ruegg
  
  Thank you, Nikki. It warms my heart to know we’re praying the same thing!
on February 19, 2015 at 4:42 pm | Reply pastordt

Beautiful post, Nancy! Thanks so much.
- on February 20, 2015 at 4:49 pm | Reply Nancy Ruegg
  
  Thank you, Diana, for stopping by. I know your time is limited!
on February 19, 2015 at 5:27 pm | Reply Ruth Lott

Nancy, I found this to be very insightful. Thank you. I will look at contemporary services in a different light. Love to you and Steve. Please stay warm and safe.
- on February 20, 2015 at 4:57 pm | Reply Nancy Ruegg
  
  Thank you, Ruth. It’s a shame that “worship wars” have plagued our churches the last twenty-five years or so. There is value in both contemporary and traditional worship. I, for one, love both! P.S. So far Steve and I have been able to stay warm AND safe, in spite of this crazy-cold weather! Love to you, too, Ruth.
on February 19, 2015 at 10:41 pm | Reply Rebeca Jones

Nancy, this is so beautiful and thought-provoking. I like how you said, “It’s as if praise, worship, and thanksgiving are tributaries, streaming together to form one great river.”

I’ve long struggled with worship, being unsure of what that really means. You’ve given me much to ponder here with your wise words. Thank you!
- on February 23, 2015 at 3:18 pm | Reply Nancy Ruegg
  
  The idea of a river of praise, thanksgiving, and worship came from Selwyn Hughes, a Welsh pastor of the last century. I love his writings! (The contrast to a braid came from MY head–inspired by the Spirit, I trust.) May God continue to bless your desire to understand worship more fully, Rebeca. However, I don’t think God designed worship to be a complicated mystery. Just expressing our heartfelt joy in God, his presence, his attributes, and his blessings, is worship which he will surely appreciate!
on February 23, 2015 at 9:30 am | Reply Laura Arnold

Nancy, songs of praise was just done in FUMC of Hudson yesterday. We had the Festival of Choirs. The church was packed, everyone enjoying the music of the Lord.
- on February 23, 2015 at 3:20 pm | Reply Nancy Ruegg
  
  Those choir festivals are truly Spirit-infused worship celebrations, aren’t they? So glad the 2015 event was so inspiring!
on February 24, 2015 at 5:10 am | Reply “Praise, Thanksgiving, and Worship” 2/24/2015 by Nancy Ruegg | God's group

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on March 8, 2015 at 6:02 pm | Reply cherig2014

I am so ‘rooted’ in the traditional ‘worship’ hymns of my youth that I have never given the contemporary praise songs a chance. I am going to have to rethink my stance. It’s just that hymns (many of which are, indeed, praise hymns, like “Rolled Away”) have a calming effect upon me which I truly need in the frenetic world.
- on March 9, 2015 at 3:54 pm | Reply Nancy Ruegg
  
  There’s much to said for both. Many of the hymns are rich in language; many of the praise and worship songs foster an enthusiastic heart response of celebration, reverence, or faith. As for the hymns that have a calming effect? By all means, keep those! 🙂
  - on March 10, 2015 at 7:49 pm cherig2014
    
    I think I can adjust. There were first the traditional hymns, then John W. Peterson came along, then the Gaithers, the Andrea Crouch. So, I think, I have been able to appreciate new forms that have appeared…