What is worship. I posed this question in a mens meeting I was in. Growing up I was taught that worship was a slow song or an expression of love to God through a song. I always assumed this was true after all the song service was called Praise and Worship. Fast songs = praise and Slow songs = worship. After becoming a music director in our church I was feeling froggy and decided to look up the word worship and it meant something totally different. The word Worship actually means to lay prostrate. Home > Lexicons > Hebrew > Shachah

Worship:
The KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon

Strong's Number: 07812 Browse Lexicon
Original Word Word Origin
hxX a primitive root
Transliterated Word TDNT Entry
Shachah TWOT - 2360
Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech
shaw-khaw' Verb
Definition

1. to bow down
1. (Qal) to bow down
2. (Hiphil) to depress (fig)
3. (Hithpael)
1. to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c
4. before superior in homage 1c
5. before God in worship 1c
6. before false gods 1c
7. before angel
So I was saying that if worship means to lay prostrate, what does that mean? Well here is what I came up with. Laying flat on the floor or prostrate, is a sign of submission to somthing or someone.
When Abraham took Isaac up on the mountain to sacrifice Abraham said let us go up to worship (paraphrasing, Gen 22:5). So I challange that Abraham was not going to sing a song but rather to be obedient or submitting himself to God, and this is what worship is. When God commanded that Saul (I Samuel 14,15) go into the city and distroy all the living creature and he disobeyed God. God was mad. There is a scripture there that says to obey is better than sacrifice (I Samuel 15:22). There is another scripture somewhere that I believe says that true worship is obedience to the Lord, but I cant find it right now maybe someone can help.
So Worship is basiclly submitting to God to be obedient to Him. Obedience is walking the walk of worship. It has nothing to do with song service.
Likewise if a man knows to do good and doesn't do it to him it is a sin.
sin = disobedience
worship = obedience
We either walk in one or the other.
I choose worship.
When you read the scriptures try mentally using the word obey when you see worship. It works.
I don't know how worship got mixed up with music, but that is ok with me. I still see how I am saposed to exalt God in praise and sometimes when I do that when I don't feel like it, that is worship.

I don't want this to be a debate this is just a thought to help or challenge spiritual growth. Check me and add to the thought. Look up these scriptures to prove or correct me. I am not a schollar, but I just want to help us all grow a little.
God Bless you all
oIgo
ps someone else post one tomorrow.