WHY WORSHIP THE LORD ALOUD?
by Robert D. Kalis
The Lord Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar that the Father in heaven was seeking for worshippers. The Samaritans worshipped on Mount Gerizim at the rivers of an old temple. The Jews, of course, contended that Jerusalem was the place where people should worship God. Jesus told the woman that the hour had now come when true worshippers would worship God in spirit and in truth. That is the only kind of worship which is acceptable to the Father: sincere spiritual worship. Forms and rituals of worship which may be performed while the mind is occupied with other things are not acceptable. Our worship is to be thoughtful and real.
David is the foremost example of a spiritual worshipper in the Old Testament. He turned every situation into cause for prayer and praise. The Psalms are filled with outbursts of praise. David loved to wait on the Lord. He ordered the praises of God to be sung continually by the Levites under the leadership of Asaph. But of all, he worshipped the Lord whole-heartedly himself. His Psalms are filled with praise and exhortations for all to praise the Lord. "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." The obvious idea of this command was that we should use our breath and praise the Lord aloud.
Martin Luther, in his German translation of the Bible, followed the Septuagint or Greek version of the Old Testament in his rendering of Psalm 50:23). "The sacrifice of praise will glorify me, and that is the way wherein I will show to him the salvation of God."
Those who have offered this sacrifice of praise have proved the truth of this promise.
The same thought is expressed in the New Testament where we read in Hebrews 13:15, 16, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name." This definitely teaches that praise is to be offered continually and audibly. Certainly this may be done in song, in testimony, public and private, but in view of the entire teaching of the Word of God, especially in the Psalms and the Book of Revelation, a large part of this "sacrifice" consists of simply saying, "Praise the Lord," or some similar expression or worship.
If there is one place above others where we can be sure to see and learn spiritual worship, it is in the book of Revelation. There, the Lord took away the curtain and allowed John to see all the beings in heaven engaged in worship to the Ancient of Days and to the Lamb.
Around the throne of God the Father, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders worship and adore Him, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty." The twenty-four elders fall down and offer their spiritual worship by saying, "Thou art worthy to receive glory and honor and power," etc. (Rev. 4:11). When the Lamb takes His place on the throne, opening the seals of the book, the twenty-four elders again worship in praise and adoration, singing a new song of spiritual worship. A million angels join in that song of audible praise, and they are joined in turn by every creature in heaven and earth and sea saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:13). Surely in heaven the worship is spiritual and sincere, and we may learn from its example and worship similarly. After the sealing of 144,000, John saw in heaven an innumerable multitude. These also worshipped God and the Lamb with a loud voice and were joined again by angels and elders (Rev. 7:9-12).
"But that is in heaven," you say, "and we know that is the way it will be there, but we are on earth."
True, but are we not commanded to pray, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven"? If it is the will of God in heaven for the four living beings, the elders, the angels, every creature, including the 144,000 "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" to join in praise audibly, "with a loud voice," does it not seem logical, in view of the petition quoted from the Lord's Prayer, that we do it on earth?
The fact is that throughout the history of the church, every time there has been a revival it has been accompanied with audible expressions of praise. So it was that there were the "shouting Methodists" and the "Amen Corners" in churches so visited. And one is reminded of the revivals of the Second Great Awakening in 1800 to know that they were accompanied by great audible rejoicing.
Since the Pentecostal outpouring at the turn of the century, the Holy Spirit has inspired this audible, spiritual worship anew. Thou- sands have learned this song which no man can teach and have experienced the glory of God filling both spirit and body as they praise the Lamb. This spiritual worship opens the soul to the power and glory of God. Audible praise and worship is a great aid in seeking the fulness of the Holy Spirit. There are some victories that can be won no other way, but with the weapon of praise.
There would be a tremendous enrichment of spiritual life if congregations would learn the art of audible worship. Several years ago, I was invited to minister to a large fellowship of hungry believers. The leaders specifically asked that the emphasis should be on worship in the Spirit. Their meetings routinely consisted of two hymns a prayer, and the preaching of the Word. Some in the assembly had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in house meetings or in private times of devotion. They were very hungry to learn to worship in the Spirit. In the very first meeting, after the two hymns and prayer, I asked the people to stand and sing a third hymn. We sang "My Jesus, I Love Thee." Before we sang the last stanza, I suggested to the people that when we finished the last verse they should continue to worship the Lord and sing to Him whatever was in their hearts. Immediately, when they did this, the Holy Spirit fell upon many of them. All over the auditorium precious souls were filled with the Holy Spirit. The people were hungry and ready; all they needed was to open and yield to the work of the Spirit. The audible worship accomplished this. Hearts opened and spirits yielded. The Holy Ghost came in.
When we have prayed the prayer of faith and done what we should in the area of intercession, it is often loud praise which sparks the victory. When I was at the point of death as a boy with a ruptured appendix and complications, the Lord inspired my mother to offer praise to glorify God. Much prayer had gone up. It was as my mother walked back and forth in her room praising God that the miracle took place. I was instantly and totally healed. Sometimes, when we have prayed through, it is audible praise that will bring the victory.
The best way to overcome moods and depression is to praise the Lord aloud. Pride keeps many believers from practicing this heavenly art. It seems like a foolish weapon to the natural man. But it is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. When something has gone wrong, or when you have been mistreated or misunderstood, it does not help to lie down on the sofa and miserably rehearse in your mind all the details of the offence. That is the time to get up and march up and down praising the Lord with a loud voice. The enemy will suggest that your praises are not sincere and that you are practicing hypocrisy. He is always a liar. That is not hypocrisy. It is obedience. "In everything give thanks."
If you do not learn this lesson, you will suffer loss. Some maintain that their nature compels them to praise the Lord only inwardly. Such an attitude will impoverish your spiritual life. Audible praise and worship is a key that opens the door to many treasures in the overcoming life. If you have been one who has drawn back from the practice of vocal worship, make an honest experiment. Join in the high sounding praises of your God. Practice praising God aloud in your private worship. Join in the praises at the assembly where you worship. Do this sincerely and whole-heartedly for one month. Your spiritual life will flourish, and your soul will be filled with the glory of God. You will never want to stop singing the praises of your God, and you will be prepared to join the heavenly throng that sings His praises in the kingdom of God for ever.
The above may be printed and distributed for the glory of God.
by Robert D. Kalis
The Lord Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar that the Father in heaven was seeking for worshippers. The Samaritans worshipped on Mount Gerizim at the rivers of an old temple. The Jews, of course, contended that Jerusalem was the place where people should worship God. Jesus told the woman that the hour had now come when true worshippers would worship God in spirit and in truth. That is the only kind of worship which is acceptable to the Father: sincere spiritual worship. Forms and rituals of worship which may be performed while the mind is occupied with other things are not acceptable. Our worship is to be thoughtful and real.
David is the foremost example of a spiritual worshipper in the Old Testament. He turned every situation into cause for prayer and praise. The Psalms are filled with outbursts of praise. David loved to wait on the Lord. He ordered the praises of God to be sung continually by the Levites under the leadership of Asaph. But of all, he worshipped the Lord whole-heartedly himself. His Psalms are filled with praise and exhortations for all to praise the Lord. "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." The obvious idea of this command was that we should use our breath and praise the Lord aloud.
Martin Luther, in his German translation of the Bible, followed the Septuagint or Greek version of the Old Testament in his rendering of Psalm 50:23). "The sacrifice of praise will glorify me, and that is the way wherein I will show to him the salvation of God."
Those who have offered this sacrifice of praise have proved the truth of this promise.
The same thought is expressed in the New Testament where we read in Hebrews 13:15, 16, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name." This definitely teaches that praise is to be offered continually and audibly. Certainly this may be done in song, in testimony, public and private, but in view of the entire teaching of the Word of God, especially in the Psalms and the Book of Revelation, a large part of this "sacrifice" consists of simply saying, "Praise the Lord," or some similar expression or worship.
If there is one place above others where we can be sure to see and learn spiritual worship, it is in the book of Revelation. There, the Lord took away the curtain and allowed John to see all the beings in heaven engaged in worship to the Ancient of Days and to the Lamb.
Around the throne of God the Father, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders worship and adore Him, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty." The twenty-four elders fall down and offer their spiritual worship by saying, "Thou art worthy to receive glory and honor and power," etc. (Rev. 4:11). When the Lamb takes His place on the throne, opening the seals of the book, the twenty-four elders again worship in praise and adoration, singing a new song of spiritual worship. A million angels join in that song of audible praise, and they are joined in turn by every creature in heaven and earth and sea saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:13). Surely in heaven the worship is spiritual and sincere, and we may learn from its example and worship similarly. After the sealing of 144,000, John saw in heaven an innumerable multitude. These also worshipped God and the Lamb with a loud voice and were joined again by angels and elders (Rev. 7:9-12).
"But that is in heaven," you say, "and we know that is the way it will be there, but we are on earth."
True, but are we not commanded to pray, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven"? If it is the will of God in heaven for the four living beings, the elders, the angels, every creature, including the 144,000 "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" to join in praise audibly, "with a loud voice," does it not seem logical, in view of the petition quoted from the Lord's Prayer, that we do it on earth?
The fact is that throughout the history of the church, every time there has been a revival it has been accompanied with audible expressions of praise. So it was that there were the "shouting Methodists" and the "Amen Corners" in churches so visited. And one is reminded of the revivals of the Second Great Awakening in 1800 to know that they were accompanied by great audible rejoicing.
Since the Pentecostal outpouring at the turn of the century, the Holy Spirit has inspired this audible, spiritual worship anew. Thou- sands have learned this song which no man can teach and have experienced the glory of God filling both spirit and body as they praise the Lamb. This spiritual worship opens the soul to the power and glory of God. Audible praise and worship is a great aid in seeking the fulness of the Holy Spirit. There are some victories that can be won no other way, but with the weapon of praise.
There would be a tremendous enrichment of spiritual life if congregations would learn the art of audible worship. Several years ago, I was invited to minister to a large fellowship of hungry believers. The leaders specifically asked that the emphasis should be on worship in the Spirit. Their meetings routinely consisted of two hymns a prayer, and the preaching of the Word. Some in the assembly had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in house meetings or in private times of devotion. They were very hungry to learn to worship in the Spirit. In the very first meeting, after the two hymns and prayer, I asked the people to stand and sing a third hymn. We sang "My Jesus, I Love Thee." Before we sang the last stanza, I suggested to the people that when we finished the last verse they should continue to worship the Lord and sing to Him whatever was in their hearts. Immediately, when they did this, the Holy Spirit fell upon many of them. All over the auditorium precious souls were filled with the Holy Spirit. The people were hungry and ready; all they needed was to open and yield to the work of the Spirit. The audible worship accomplished this. Hearts opened and spirits yielded. The Holy Ghost came in.
When we have prayed the prayer of faith and done what we should in the area of intercession, it is often loud praise which sparks the victory. When I was at the point of death as a boy with a ruptured appendix and complications, the Lord inspired my mother to offer praise to glorify God. Much prayer had gone up. It was as my mother walked back and forth in her room praising God that the miracle took place. I was instantly and totally healed. Sometimes, when we have prayed through, it is audible praise that will bring the victory.
The best way to overcome moods and depression is to praise the Lord aloud. Pride keeps many believers from practicing this heavenly art. It seems like a foolish weapon to the natural man. But it is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. When something has gone wrong, or when you have been mistreated or misunderstood, it does not help to lie down on the sofa and miserably rehearse in your mind all the details of the offence. That is the time to get up and march up and down praising the Lord with a loud voice. The enemy will suggest that your praises are not sincere and that you are practicing hypocrisy. He is always a liar. That is not hypocrisy. It is obedience. "In everything give thanks."
If you do not learn this lesson, you will suffer loss. Some maintain that their nature compels them to praise the Lord only inwardly. Such an attitude will impoverish your spiritual life. Audible praise and worship is a key that opens the door to many treasures in the overcoming life. If you have been one who has drawn back from the practice of vocal worship, make an honest experiment. Join in the high sounding praises of your God. Practice praising God aloud in your private worship. Join in the praises at the assembly where you worship. Do this sincerely and whole-heartedly for one month. Your spiritual life will flourish, and your soul will be filled with the glory of God. You will never want to stop singing the praises of your God, and you will be prepared to join the heavenly throng that sings His praises in the kingdom of God for ever.
The above may be printed and distributed for the glory of God.
