Approaching Historical Examples with Awe and Wonder in Worship
Worship, in its truest form, involves approaching God with both reverence and joy, a combination often described as awe and wonder [1]. This posture is rooted in an understanding of God's majesty and his wondrous works [2, 12]. The Psalms frequently call believers to praise God by remembering his historical acts of redemption and his ongoing faithfulness [11].
The concept of awe in worship is deeply embedded in biblical tradition. Psalm 2:11 exhorts, "Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling" [1]. This "trembling" is not fear in the sense of terror, but rather a profound respect and humility before the divine [4]. It acknowledges God's glorious splendor and his mighty deeds [2]. The Dead Sea Scrolls, specifically the Pesharim and Other Notable Texts from the 2nd-1st century BCE, describe angelic beings offering praise in a heavenly temple, with increasingly elaborate and ecstatic language, culminating in visions of the divine throne-chariot [5]. This ancient text illustrates a perception of worship that is grand, awe-inspiring, and deeply reverential, even among celestial beings.
Historical examples of God's intervention serve as a powerful catalyst for such worship. Psalm 66:5-7 highlights the Exodus story and God's victory over the sea as events that evoke astonishment and worship [10]. Remembering these acts of deliverance prompts a response of praise and recognition of God's miraculous power to redeem his people [10]. Similarly, Psalm 105 recounts Israel's history from Abraham's calling to their settlement in Canaan, reminding them that their obedience was the ultimate goal of God's gracious dealings [11]. This historical narrative provides a foundation for calling upon God's name, acknowledging his "historically manifested glory" [11].
True worship is not merely an outward act but stems from an inward disposition. It requires a heart that is right with God and others [6]. The prophet Micah emphasizes humility as necessary for the service of God (Micah 6:8), a characteristic exemplified by Christ himself [4]. This humility, coupled with a new spirit and a "one heart" focused on God, allows for genuine worship [9]. As John 4:24 states, true worship occurs "in spirit and in truth," where God's Spirit reveals his truth and reality to the worshiper [8]. This transformation is part of the gift of salvation, where believers receive a new nature, and God's Spirit expresses his life within them [7].
The practice of worship, therefore, involves meditating on God's wondrous works and acknowledging his majesty [2]. It is a communal experience, as Psalm 42:4 describes the joy of going "with the throng" to the house of God "with the voice of joy and praise" [3]. This collective remembrance of God's historical acts fosters a shared sense of awe and wonder, drawing the community closer to God and to one another. The "testimonies" of God, as Psalm 119:129 notes, are "wonderful" in their ability to reveal God, Christ, and the spiritual realm, demonstrating divine love and grace, and producing profound effects on the conscience [12].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 2:11 (NASB) — Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.”
- Psalms “Psalms 145:5 (BSB) — the glorious splendor of Your majesty. And I will meditate on Your wondrous works.”
- Psalms “Psalms 42:4 (ASV) — These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, How I went with the throng, and led them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Dead Sea Scrolls “Pesharim and Other Notable Texts (2nd-1st century BCE), section 3: by Carol Newsom in 1985. Key Content The thirteen songs describe in increasingly elaborate and ecstatic language the heavenly temple, its angelic priesthood, and its celestial worship. The cycle moves from an initial call to the angelic priests to praise God, through detailed descriptions of the heavenly sanctuary's architecture and furnishings, to climactic visions of the divine throne-chariot (the Merkavah): Song 1 (4Q400 1): Calls upon the "gods" (elim) or angelic beings to offer praise in the heavenly temple. "For the Maste”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 51:19: 51:19 Sacrifices offered in the right spirit come from a heart that is right with God and with others (see 15:2-5; 24:3-6; 50:14; Matt 5:23-24).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 4:24: 4:24 in spirit and in truth: One Greek preposition governs both words (literally in spirit and truth) and makes them a single concept. True worship occurs as God’s Spirit reveals God’s truth and reality to the worshiper. Jesus Christ is the Truth (14:6; cp. 14:17; 15:26).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 11:19: I will give them--lest they should claim to themselves the praise given them in Eze 11:18, God declares it is to be the free gift of His Spirit. one heart--not singleness, that is, uprightness, but oneness of heart in all, unanimously seeking Him in contrast to their state at that time, when only single scattered individuals sought God (Jer 32:39; Zep 3:9) [HENGSTENBERG]. Or, "content with one God," not distracted with "the many detestable things" (Eze 11:18; Kg1 18:21; Hos 10:2) [CALVIN]. new spirit-- (Psa 51:10; Jer 31:33). Realized fully in th”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 66:5: 66:5-7 The story of the Exodus and God’s victory over the sea evokes responses of astonishment (66:5) and worship (66:6). God works miracles . . . for people in order to redeem them for himself.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 104 (introduction): After an exhortation to praise God, addressed especially to the chosen people, the writer presents the special reason for praise, in a summary of their history from the calling of Abraham to their settlement in Canaan, and reminds them that their obedience was the end of all God's gracious dealings. (Psa. 105:1-45) call . . . name-- (Psa 79:6; Rom 10:13). Call on Him, according to His historically manifested glory. After the example of Abraham, who, as often as God acquired for Himself a name in guiding him, called in solemn worship upon”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:129: See here how David was affected towards the word of God. 1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: Thy testimonies are wonderful. The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign that we are not acquainted with God's testimonies, or do not understand them, if we do not admire th”