As someone who came from a tradition that included a two-hour worship service which consisted of an hour plus sermon and a twenty to thirty minute sermonette, I am struck by how differently worship is portrayed in the psalms. Although we did have congregational singing and special music, those parts of the service were often led by people of little or no musical talent (to be fair, there were some notable exceptions to this generalization). Also, the songs usually centered on a book of hymns composed by the founder's brother that often felt like we were singing the same thing over and over again. In short, worship services were mostly non-participatory and seemed formulaic in nature. Looking back, those services felt more like classroom lectures than a worship service and provided little in the way of spontaneity or joy.
What am I talking about? One only has to look at a few of the psalms to understand the point that I'm trying to make.
"Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates
and blessed your children within your walls.
He sends peace across your nation
and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.
He sends his orders to the world—
how swiftly his word flies!
He sends the snow like white wool;
he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.
He hurls the hail like stones.
Who can stand against his freezing cold?
Then, at his command, it all melts.
He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.
He has revealed his words to Jacob,
his decrees and regulations to Israel.
He has not done this for any other nation;
they do not know his regulations.
Praise the Lord!" --Psalm 147:12-20
Notice the imagery and poetry - the joy and thankfulness expressed by the psalmist!
"Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
Praise his name with dancing,
accompanied by tambourine and harp.
For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds." --Psalm 149:1-5
Notice the exuberance and the references to DANCING and the use of a variety of musical instruments!
"Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!" -- Psalm 150:1-6
Once again, the joyful praise, thankfulness, dancing and variety of instruments are evident.
Yes, the contrast is stark. When we compare the two, from which format do you think that you and God would derive the most satisfaction? Moreover, don't you find it just a tad bit interesting that this one is found in Scripture and the other format is not present there?
What am I talking about? One only has to look at a few of the psalms to understand the point that I'm trying to make.
"Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates
and blessed your children within your walls.
He sends peace across your nation
and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.
He sends his orders to the world—
how swiftly his word flies!
He sends the snow like white wool;
he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.
He hurls the hail like stones.
Who can stand against his freezing cold?
Then, at his command, it all melts.
He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.
He has revealed his words to Jacob,
his decrees and regulations to Israel.
He has not done this for any other nation;
they do not know his regulations.
Praise the Lord!" --Psalm 147:12-20
Notice the imagery and poetry - the joy and thankfulness expressed by the psalmist!
"Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
Praise his name with dancing,
accompanied by tambourine and harp.
For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds." --Psalm 149:1-5
Notice the exuberance and the references to DANCING and the use of a variety of musical instruments!
"Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!" -- Psalm 150:1-6
Once again, the joyful praise, thankfulness, dancing and variety of instruments are evident.
Yes, the contrast is stark. When we compare the two, from which format do you think that you and God would derive the most satisfaction? Moreover, don't you find it just a tad bit interesting that this one is found in Scripture and the other format is not present there?
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