Bible Question: what's the difference between praise and worship |
Bible Answer: Praise (or blessing) is saying nice things about God so that others can hear (Psalm 34:1-2). Worship is bowing down before God, recognizing who he is (Psalm 95:6-7). Worship can include words said to God at that time (Revelation 4:10,11) but it does not necessarily involve words (Genesis 24:52, Matthew 28:9). It can be done alone or in a group, but God is to be the only object of worship (Matthew 4; Luke 4). Praise and worship often go together (2 Chronicles 7:3; 29:30) but we are wise to recognize that they are separate and distinct activities (Nehemiah 8:6). Again, worship can be done in solitary privacy, but praise requires the presence of hearers. BTW, praise involves more than saying, “Praise the Lord” and it is more than saying “Amen”. We should be saying nice things about him, such as, “He is good” or “His mercies endure forever” (2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalm 136). |