SRM Praise & Worship

History of P&W

Sing Unto The Lord! "I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." Hebrews 2:12

The first mention of praise in the Bible is in Genesis 29:35. Here Leah gives praise to God for the birth of a child and calls his name Judah, which literally means praise. Greek and Hebrew root words for "praise" show that it means thanksgiving, celebration, to boast of and give glory to. Another Hebrew word (tehillah) from which praise is derived means "hymn" and "to play on an instrument" and "to sing."

Since ancient times, music and singing has been an avenue for praising God. When Jerusalem was rebuilt, there was great rejoicing.

"... To keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps." Nehemiah 12:27

The book of Psalms is literally a book of songs. The writer instructs us in Psalms 100:2-3: "Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."

And in Ephesians 5:19 the Apostle Paul says: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and making melody in your hearts to the Lord."

Praise is powerful!

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." Acts 16:25 & 26

Worship is intricately interwoven with praise. It is a passionate and personal adoration. To worship is to bow down; to give reverence and homage. Worship has no expectation, no goal in mind. It is pure love poured out to our Creator.

Praise and worship ushers us into the presence of God. As we sing His praises, our hearts soar in worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus Christ is the only true and living God; we give Him all our praise, all our worship.

"Sing unto the Lord a new song! Sing unto the Lord all the earth!" Psalms 96:1