Biblical theme · Faith and spiritual life
Worship in the Bible
Giving God the honour due to him: the psalms of praise, the commands against idols, worship in spirit and truth, worship that includes justice, and worship with the whole of life.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Worship is giving God the honour due to him: in praise and song, in prayer and offering, and in the whole of life. “Oh come, let’s worship and bow down.” Psalm 95:6Romans 12:1
Scripture forbids worshipping other gods or idols, and the prophets reject worship that ignores justice. Jesus speaks of worshipping the Father in spirit and truth. Exodus 20:3–5Amos 5:21–24John 4:23–24
Central passages
- Psalm 95:1–7
Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us worship and bow down before our Maker.
- Psalm 100:1–5
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; the LORD is good.
- Psalm 150:1–6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
- Exodus 20:3–6
You shall have no other gods before me; you shall not make an idol.
- John 4:19–24
Not on this mountain or in Jerusalem: true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and truth.
- Micah 6:6–8
Not thousands of rams, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
- Romans 12:1–2
Present your bodies a living sacrifice, which is your spiritual service.
- Colossians 3:16–17
Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus.
- Hebrews 13:15–16
Offer a sacrifice of praise, and do not forget to do good and share.
- Revelation 4:8–11
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty… Worthy are you.”
- Revelation 7:9–12
A great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language worships before the throne.
Across Scripture
Each passage is labelled with why it belongs: central teaching, narrative example, supporting passage, comparison, contrast or interpretive connection.
Songs of praise
The psalms call the people, and all creation, to praise God.
- Psalm 95:1–7 Central teaching
Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us worship and bow down before our Maker.
- Psalm 100:1–5 Central teaching
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; the LORD is good.
- Psalm 150:1–6 Central teaching
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
No other gods
The commandments forbid other gods and images, and the stories show how quickly that is broken.
- Exodus 20:3–6 Central teaching
You shall have no other gods before me; you shall not make an idol.
- Exodus 32:1–8 Narrative example
The people make a golden calf and call it the god who brought them out of Egypt.
- 1 Kings 18:21 Narrative example
Elijah asks how long the people will waver between the LORD and Baal.
- Isaiah 44:9–20 Supporting passage
The prophet mocks a carpenter who burns half a tree and bows to the other half.
Worship that pleases God
Jesus and the prophets look past the place and form of worship to the heart and to how people live.
- John 4:19–24 Central teaching
Not on this mountain or in Jerusalem: true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and truth.
- Isaiah 1:11–17 Contrast
God rejects offerings from people whose hands are full of blood: learn to do good, seek justice.
- Amos 5:21–24 Contrast
God hates feasts without justice.
- Micah 6:6–8 Central teaching
Not thousands of rams, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
The whole of life
The New Testament widens worship to everything believers do.
- Romans 12:1–2 Central teaching
Present your bodies a living sacrifice, which is your spiritual service.
- Colossians 3:16–17 Central teaching
Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus.
- Hebrews 13:15–16 Central teaching
Offer a sacrifice of praise, and do not forget to do good and share.
Worship in heaven
Revelation pictures worship around God’s throne by every nation and language.
- Revelation 4:8–11 Central teaching
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty… Worthy are you.”
- Revelation 7:9–12 Central teaching
A great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language worships before the throne.
Stories that show this theme
- The Crossing of the Red Sea Illustrates the theme
The first song of worship recorded in the Bible. Exodus 15:1–2
- The Ten Commandments
No other gods; the golden calf. Exodus 20:3–4Exodus 32:4
- Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
The contest on Carmel over whom Israel will worship. 1 Kings 18:39
- Creation
Later psalms call on all creation to praise its Maker. Psalm 104:24Psalm 148:1–5
People associated with this theme
- Miriam
Miriam leads the women in praise after the sea. Exodus 15:20–21
Distinctions and questions of interpretation
- Worship and music
- Singing is everywhere in Scripture, but Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 13:16 count a life given to God and doing good as worship too. Colossians 3:16Romans 12:1Hebrews 13:16
- Forms of worship
- Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that the place of worship matters less than worship in spirit and truth. Churches worship in many forms. John 4:21–24
Related themes
- Prayer
Praise and thanksgiving are forms of prayer. Psalm 100:4
- Justice
The prophets reject worship divorced from justice. Amos 5:21–24
- Joy
Joy is a mark of worship in the psalms. Psalm 100:1–2
Questions for reflection
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- What reasons for worship do Psalms 95 and 100 give?
- Why does God reject Israel’s offerings in Isaiah 1:11-17?
- What does Jesus mean by worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24)?
- What would offering your body as a living sacrifice look like this week (Romans 12:1)?
Reading plans
- Exploring the Psalms
The psalms of praise. Psalm 150