What is the difference between praise and worship?

Praise as the Joyful Recounting of God's Works

What is the difference between praise and worship? We're going to answer that question. Understanding the difference between praise and worship can bring a new depth to the way we honor the Lord. Throughout the Bible, the commands to praise the Lord are too numerous to mention.

Angels and the heavenly hosts are commanded to praise the Lord. All inhabitants of the earth are instructed to praise the Lord. We can praise him with singing, with shouting, with the dance, and with musical instruments.

Praise is the joyful recounting of all God has done for us. It is closely intertwined with Thanksgiving as we offer appreciation for his mighty works. Praise is universal and can be applied to other relationships as well.

We can praise our family, friends, boss, or paperboy. Praise does not require anything of us and is merely the truthful acknowledgement of the righteous acts of another. Since God has done many wonderful deeds, he is worthy of praise.

Worship as Surrender and Adoration of God Alone

Worship, however, comes from a different place within our spirits. Worship should be reserved for God alone. Worship is the art of losing self in the adoration of another. Praise can be a part of worship, but worship goes beyond praise.

Praise is easy. Worship is not. Worship gets to the heart of who we are. We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, surrender every part of our lives to his control, and adore him for who he is, not just what he has done.

Worship is a lifestyle, not just an occasional activity. Jesus said the Father is seeking those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. In scripture, praise is usually presented as boisterous, joyful, and uninhibited.

Biblical Pictures of Praise and Worship

God invites praise of all kinds from his creation. Jesus said that if people don't praise God, even the stones will cry out. When the Bible mentions worship, however, the tone changes. We read verses like, Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, and come, let us worship and bow down.

Often, worship is coupled with the act of bowing or kneeling, which shows humility and contrition. It is through true worship that we invite the Holy Spirit to speak to us, convict us, and comfort us.

Worship as a Heart Posture of Humility and Surrender

Through worship, we realign our priorities with God's and acknowledge him once more as the rightful Lord of our lives. Just as praise is intertwined with thanksgiving, worship is intertwined with surrender.

It is impossible to worship God and anything else at the same time. The physical acts, often associated with worship, help to create the necessary attitude of humility required for real worship. A person can go through the outward motions and not be worshiping.

Worship is an attitude of the heart. God sees the heart, and he desires and deserves sincere, heartfelt praise and worship. That answers the question, What is the difference between praise and worship?

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