This is part 3 of a series of posts about worship. The first post as a general introduction about Worship and the second covers the first 3 verses of Psalm 145. In this post, we’re examining verses 4 through 7 of Psalm 145.
Our Worship Is Expressed By Our Words & Actions
While worship begins within one’s mind, it becomes expressed by what is said and to a degree what actions one engages. Notice all the speaking verbs in verses 4 through 7 of Psalm 145.
One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteous.
– Psalm 145:4-7 NKJV
“Praise,” “declare” (twice), “speak” and “sing” are all used to indicate how worship is to be expressed. Even the word “meditate” in verse 5, is often translated as “speak.” It conveys the idea of speaking on something you’ve been thinking over. This isn’t an off-the-cuff expression but something said after giving it some thought.
The term in verse 7, “utter” or in some versions, “pour forth” means to “bubble up.” Here David describes praise as just bubbling up or coming to the surface of someone. It is a natural expression of worship. This is how we are to express worship. It is vocal and it is a natural occurrence.
Most of us have to work at worship. We’ve been so used to worship only being a church thing, we rarely make worship a natural part of our conversation. We don’t think (meditate) on worship which allows us to speak about it with meaningful insight. We walk into our Sunday gatherings without much thought and expect to sing some words on a screen, written by someone we don’t know – and that’s only if we like the music.
David is telling us worship must be something we think about. Something we express and something which bubbles up from us. When we’ve made worship a priority as the first three verses of this Psalm indicate, the words and actions of verses 4 through 7 become a habitual part of our character.
In the 2011 movie, Iron Lady, Margret Thatcher tells her doctor, “Watch your thoughts, for they will become actions. Watch your actions, for they’ll become your habits. Watch your habits for they will forge your character. Watch your character, for it will make your destiny.” I think King David would agree. To be a person of worship – and remember the Father is seeking such to worship Him – it begins with your thoughts and words.
Short Bald Guy 