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jfaye -> RE: WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU PRAISE OR WORSHIP (4/2/2008 10:33:27 AM)
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quote:
Mathlady
In doing a really quick search in good old Strong's, I'm seeing a slight difference in the two.
Praise seems to be focused on giving adoration and thanks to God or to a person for what they have done. In I Chronicles 23:50 and Nehemiah 12: 24, 26 the words thanks and praise are together. Jusges 5:2 says, "Praise the Lord for..." Psalm 9: I will praise you, I will tell of your wonders. Psalm 9:9: I will proclaim what he has done.
Worship seems to be more focused, not on what God has done, but on who He is. It very often comes with "falling down: - Ps. 95:6, Matt 4:9, various places in Revelation. In Rev. 6:11-12, worship just speaks of the attributes, not actions, of God.
Rev. 11:17-18 demonstrates that thanks can be a part of worship.
The biggest difference I see between the two is that praise can be given to men as well as to God. In fact, God assigns praise to Israel in Deut. 26:15. But there are lots of places where God clearly says that we are to worship none but Him.
I think this explains my previous response somewhat. Remembering and rehearsing what God has done (praise) reminds me of Who He is, and I can enter into worship - just basking in wonder and awe at the magnificence of Who He is, regardless of what He does.
I think you've nailed it in your research, Mathlady! Thank you for doing the work for us!
I also agree, that it involves both aspects to fully worship God, to recognize who He is, and what it is He
does and has done and How faithful He is to His plan and promises! I think, it more often is most affectively done,
in private. There is definitely a call for 'corporate' and open worship and praise but just think of the freedom
of falling on our faces before the Lord, in our private moments of worship! Uninhibited praise and worship is
the stuff He really calls us to and so often, we are too aware of those around us to have the 'freedom'
to express all that we could if we were not so 'aware' of others! Also, we are not 'influenced' to do anything
not being inspired of God alone, I feel! If moved to raise our hands by Him, alone, then it is His prompting.
Often, I feel I am inspired by others to do that or not!
Ah, the influence of others can be so strong that we more often than not, are not really certain, if it is
the promptings of the intensity of the music, the posture and performance of those around us, or the calling
of the Lord, and the true response of our own hearts, that dictates our corporate worship.
I'm for both, the corporate and private but I feel we most need, for ourselves, the private, to be honest and
natural in true worship! I'm thinking that praise is easier for us, corporately and publicly! True and honest Worship
is much more naturally done as a private endeavor for most, I suspect, being borne from His Spirit touching ours,
much more intimately!
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