Even though the terms praise and worship are often used together, there is a big difference between the two.
What is Praise?
There are 7 different Hebrew words for praise in the Old Testament. That’s not counting the different variations of the word found throughout the Bible.
According to Dictionary.com the word praise is defined as:
- The act of expressing approval or admiration.
- The offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship: a hymn of praise to God.
Based on these definitions we learn that praise is:
- an action that expresses our admiration and approval,
- an outward expression in word or song,
- and an offering to God.
Praise is something that we freely and readily give to God for all that he has done for us.
What is Worship?
Maybe you believe that worship was part of the service where the congregation sings slow songs. Yet, this is only one aspect of worship.
According to Dictionary.com, worship is defined as:
- the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity,
- to show reverence or adoration to (God); honor with religious rights.
To revere, someone or something means to show deep respect for them, while adoration is a deep love or respect.
When the Bible says,” Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.” (Ps 112:1)
To “fear the Lord” means, to have deep respect and love for Him. When we fear the Lord, it is expressed as worship in a believer’s life.
Unlike praise, worship is a condition of the heart. It is our attitude towards God that is expressed as praise and flows into our relationships with others.
