What is Worship?

Part 2 of 4

Text: John 4:21-23

  • “Worship” is based primarily on two Biblical words:
    • Hebrew: Shachah (shaw-ghaw’) hxX: to bow down, prostrate oneself
    • Greek: Proskuneo (pros-koo-neh’-o) proskuneo: to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence
    • “Worship” in John 4:23 is the word Proskuneo.
    • “Worshippers” in John 4:23 is a derivative of Proskuneo.
  • Verse 21: location is irrelevant
  • “spirit” Pneuma (pnyoo’-mah) pneuma: the third person of the trinity or the vital principal by which the body is animated
  • “truth” Aletheia (al-ay’-thi-a) aleqeia: objectively in the sense of the knowledge and absolute understanding
  • Proper theology is needed for proper doxology!

Jack Hayford: A worshipper clinging to his or her “right” not to participate in expressive worship is directly confronted by God’s Word. (pg. 115 Experience God in Worship)

Psalm 47:1 “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy” and Psalm 98:4 “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.”