West Loop Church UBF

Definition of Praise
The word translated as “praise” in these verses is the Hebrew word “hallal.” The definition of hallal is “to praise, celebrate, glory, sing (praise), boast.” Strong’s Concordance includes in the definition “to rave.”  The word praise can be found well over 200 times in the Bible. When we include related words such as “worship, sing, shout, and bow down”, that number climbs to close to 500.

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 6:5

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

DEFINITION OF WORSHIP

The meaning of the New Testament Greek word most often translated “worship” (proskuneo) is “to fall down before” or “bow down before.” Worship is a state (an attitude) of spirit. Since it’s an internal, individual action, it could/should be done most of the time (or all the time) in our lives, regardless of place or situation (John 4:21).

"It doesn’t really matter, in my opinion, the form of worship or the structure of worship – What really matters is the reality of worship…Did worship occur?" (John Wimber)

Leading worship is amazing; to be given the responsibility of leading people into intimate moments with the living God, it’s such a blessing, but it can be quite daunting, it can also be frustrating, exhausting and even demoralizing. Leading worship is a call to humility. We have to respect and trust that God has called us to be a servant of his will, staying humble, selfless and always willing to learn