Praise and Worship: What is the Difference?

Are you serious about learning this topic: praise and worship?

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” – Psalm 29:2

Praise the Lord with this Song: Live from the Judah Music Conference
Worship Medley By Clint Brown and Judah

I just noticed when looking over my past blog post. I have forgotten to discuss something that is important in praise and worship – and that is, a difference between the two words.

Praise and Worship

Yes, there is a difference between praise and worship?

Worship is almost always confused with Praise, even by people who ought to know better. Worship doesn’t mean “to lift your hands” or “bow your knees”. Praise doesn’t mean “to keep silence” or “worship” as well.

Worship is much different than Praise.

Let’s do a quick review:

What is praise? Praise is giving honor in verbal or physical expression to God.

What is worship? Worship is admiration, and giving respect to God.

Now that we have defined what praise and worship is. Can you tell them apart? Although in a broad sense everything we do for God out of love from our hearts can be considered worship we do not necessarily have to physically do anything in order to worship God. However praise always requires action because it is an outward expression of our inner faith. In fact, in the broad sense of the word worship praise could be considered a form of worship. When we go to church and have worship service praise is included, but in the narrow sense of the word praise is very distinct from worship because praise doesn’t necessarily have to be directed towards God. We can praise God amongst ourselves by declaring his goodness, but worship must be directed towards God. It could be said that praise can be horizontal, worship is always vertical. Praise can be sung about God, but worship must always be sung directly to him. The bible talks about a sacrifice of praise that is found in Hebrews 13:15 and Jeremiah 33:11, but there is NO sacrifice of worship. Let’s look at these verses of scripture from the Amplified Bible:

“[There shall be heard again] the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing as they bring sacrifices of thanksgiving into the house of the Lord, give praise and thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good; for His mercy and kindness and steadfast love endure forever!….” Jeremiah 33:11

They brought sacrifices of thanksgiving into the house of the Lord. Do you know that if you do not understand something you read in the bible? Most of the time, it is explained for you, if you keep reading on. What did they do? They gave praise and thanksgiving in the house of the Lord for His goodness.

“Through Him (Jesus Christ), therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.” Hebrews 13:15

Every time you think about it, you should offer thanksgiving to God. If you are saved by the grace of God, the bible states that is your reasonable service. How do I begin to praise God? By opening up your mouth, express gratitude for being alive, and many others things in your life.

Worship is adoration toward God. You love Him and want to have a personal relationship with Him. This communication can be in actions or not. What do I mean by this? Just like a child with their Daddy, he or she will come to their father to talk, share their thoughts and feelings; which is praise, but there are times when the child just wants to be close to him without saying one word; which is worship. Usually we do not have a problem understanding this, but something is misdirected in who we are to worship. The bible clearly said in Exodus 20:2, “Worship Only God.” Our problem is this little word called “Sacrifice.” Most of the Saints do not know or understand the word sacrifice in Hebrews 13:15? Sacrifice means to give up, forgo, forfeit, let go, and surrender. We do not want to do that for the most part. To give away something of value, No way! Well guess what? The Creator, God, did by sending Jesus for you! This is what Jesus Christ did on the cross for you and I — He sacrificed His life that we may live unto righteousness. Amen.

Under the Law of Moses, animals were killed and their bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood from that animal was brought inside the tabernacle (a sanctuary for God to dwell) to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. It is the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates, and His blood was brought to God’s altar to cleanse His people. You and I are NO longer sacrificing animals, but we are pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ Name. We can make known in our speech (praise), and believe by faith, when we worship, we must mean it. If we read on in Hebrews 13:16 again, you will find out that we should not take these things for granted, because God takes pleasure in our worship and the acts of worship as well.

We praise in order for our flesh (bodies) to line up with the purposes and will of God – that’s why it’s a sacrifice. You and I know that our bodies do not want to listen sometimes! Do you remember Psalms 100:4? “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” As we come close to the Lord and Savior, we will remember the grace, goodness, and mercy shown to us through our praise. As a result, we will be comforted by the holy presence of God. Why? Because He has seen our praise, our heart were genuine, and took pleasure in it; this is what we call worship in the simplest form (see Hebrew Words for Worship).

I know I have said a lot, but I would like for you to get it. So, you can remember this bottom line: the sacrifice of praise is the “fruit of the lips” by saying something to God in your actions, but worship is the “fruit of the heart” by loving and respecting Him.

This is your final chance with me today to get your praise on (open your mouth and say something to God (thanksgiving) and sing (any act of worship will do – it your choice!) Hopefully, you will start well I’m writing this, and share this next youtube video with you:
Live from the Judah Music Conference, Holy Righteous Medley by Clint Brown and Judah