When they spoke of worshipping God in the old testament, the word they used carried the meaning of physically lowering yourself in reverence or submission to another. It implied that you were in service to that Lord, ready to carry out his command.
In the New Testament, the greek word translated worship means "to kiss towards" and indicates a similar respect and submission.
I can't find any trace of our notion that singing and worshipping are related in any way. Worship is the laying down of oneself, in reverence. In this way, many other activities of the body could more aptly be called worship--listening to one another, helping someone move, giving a hug, etc.
I can't find any trace of exhortation to pursue an altered state of consciousness to increase faith. I looked up verses about meditation, since what we do as worship seems to be more meditative. Even that appears to be a left brain experience: in context it means to think through something, and is translated as "be diligent" here:
1 Tim 4:15-16 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
This really frustrates me. I find that singing seems to be equally about each other as it is towards God:
Eph 5:18-21
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Who do we lower ourselves toward? Both God and our fellow believers. When I consider the deep state I've entered thinking that it was worship, I have a hard time thinking that it cultivates much toward other people. I mean, it does make me feel glowy and benevolent, but I have a terribly hard time doing it while connecting in the most basic ways of caring for my children.
In the New Testament, the greek word translated worship means "to kiss towards" and indicates a similar respect and submission.
I can't find any trace of our notion that singing and worshipping are related in any way. Worship is the laying down of oneself, in reverence. In this way, many other activities of the body could more aptly be called worship--listening to one another, helping someone move, giving a hug, etc.
I can't find any trace of exhortation to pursue an altered state of consciousness to increase faith. I looked up verses about meditation, since what we do as worship seems to be more meditative. Even that appears to be a left brain experience: in context it means to think through something, and is translated as "be diligent" here:
1 Tim 4:15-16 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
This really frustrates me. I find that singing seems to be equally about each other as it is towards God:
Eph 5:18-21
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Who do we lower ourselves toward? Both God and our fellow believers. When I consider the deep state I've entered thinking that it was worship, I have a hard time thinking that it cultivates much toward other people. I mean, it does make me feel glowy and benevolent, but I have a terribly hard time doing it while connecting in the most basic ways of caring for my children.
These themes of submission called to mind the words of Christ:
Matt 22:37-39
37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Jesus calls us to a full orbed love and submission to God, and the cerebral aspect of it is mandatorily called to govern and guard over good doctrine. Also, submission with holy reverence to God echoes through every human relationship as well.
Col 3:16-2116 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
I can't find a case for pursuing worship as I used to, as a way to find the spirit to convince me of what I doubted. When I look at the scripture, it is the mind that is convinced and persuaded by reason rather than experience.
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