“He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way rightly [who follows the way that I show him], I shall show the salvation of God.””

Psalms 50:23 AMP

It’s my husband’s fault. He ruined worship songs for me. I used to listen to worship music without much thought to lyrics until one day he asked me to skip a song on Spotify. 

I asked incredulously, “How could you NOT like this?! It’s such a great sound!”

To which he calmly replied, “Yes, musically. But have you listened to the words?”  

I paused. I listened. I analyzed. Then I heard it. 

The song lyrics waxed poetically about “I” and “me” far more than it exalted G-d. 

Vance lovingly said, “it’s good music, but it’s not worship music. Worship music should turn our focus to G-d and magnify His presence alone. If the song lyrics mention me more than Him, it’s turning the focus the wrong direction.” 

I was flabbergasted and I’ve never listened to music the same. 

While I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t listen to good Christian songs, I think it is important to be mindful about music we call “worship”. There is a distinct difference. 

Our pastor said a couple of weeks ago that when we gather and “worship”, everything we do should magnify the name, character, and goodness of G-d – not me, not singing my problems, not evaluating the singers or people on stage. The sole purpose of raising our voice as one should be to magnify, thank, praise, and exalt Him. 

That’s vertical worship – worship that points our gaze towards Heaven where the King of King reigns. In Him and through Him is all we need. 

Vertical worship completely shifts the atmosphere. You don’t even need an instrument or a voice “leading” you. When we lift our voices united in thanking and praising Him, He is honored. And where He is honored, His presence rests. 

That’s where the sacrifice is found. I might not “feel” like singing – and my that’s the issue isn’t it? If I only worship when I feel like it, I’m not honoring Him; I’m honoring His enemy by choosing my flesh. 

When I lay aside my worries and my lists, when I turn my gaze with intention towards Him, and then worship Him alone, it’s how I honor Him. 

Father – thank You for a husband who points me to You daily. Thank You for the gift of worship. Be exalted in and through my life today in all I do and say. May my life honor You alone. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen. 

Daily Reading: Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75