While reading Doxology and Theology with our worship interns this summer, we came across this quote, “We should be worshippers who know richly, feel deeply, and express passionately.” Have you ever stopped to think about how God feels about our expressions when we sing to him? Does he desire worshippers who raise their hands or keep their hands to their sides? Does he desire worshippers who stand in place or, sway back and forth, or jump up and down?
We’ve been watching some Podcasts with Sovereign Grace Music, and in one of them, Bob Kauflin suggests that it is unnatural for us to hold still when we sing to the Lord. He pointed out that most of us talk with our hands. He reminded us that almost everyone gets expressive when it comes to watching their favorite team play a game. If we are expressive when we communicate in most settings, why would we not be expressive when we are singing about the greatest truths of all eternity?
Not only would it be unnatural to be expressionless with our bodies when we worship the Lord through song, it is also commanded of us in Scripture. Psalm 134:2, Psalm 63:4, Psalm 141:2, and Psalm 143:6 are just a few places where we are encouraged to raise our hands in praise. Psalm 149:3 and Psalm 150:4 encourage us to worship the Lord with dancing. Over 30 places in the Psalms exhort us to shout for joy, and I’ve never seen anyone shout without using their body. That would just look awkward.
One of the benefits that I have found in expression is that my body’s posture can help move my heart towards the right posture. If we are singing a song of surrender, but my heart doesn’t want to surrender, when I raise my hands, my heart takes a step towards surrender. When we are singing about the joy and freedom that Jesus Christ has brought us through his life, death, and resurrection, but I’m not resonating with the joy, if I start clapping my hands, or moving to the beat of the song, or even smiling, my heart will move towards celebrating this great salvation that Jesus has brought us.
We don’t want emotionalism, but I want the truth we sing (supported with music) to stir the affections of our hearts. Expression (when it comes honestly from the heart that is affected by the truth in Scripture) brings glory to God. I’m praying that we would know truth richly, feel it deeply, and express it passionately when we worship the Lord through song! See you Sunday!
- Pastor Kyle