Heart-felt 'worship'?

By Rhiannonw

Sun, 15 Sep 2019
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2 comments
 

[Continuing the hymn-for-Sundays series]

“Worship” can be worthless noise
in God’s ears; he will despise
ostentatious singing vain,
just lip-service brought again –
looks for love of righteousness
helping others in distress.

Some hope that a formal show
when to church, bored, choose to go,
hope it earns a future heaven –
sins acknowledged, sins forgiven
in Christ Jesus is the way,
loving justice, truly pray.

Many things can take my heart,
keeping me and God apart:
tune my lips to sweet aroma,
adoration of the Saviour,
justice rolling like a river,
righteousness pours forth for ever.

“I hate, I despise your religious feasts … Away with the noise of your songs … But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” Amos 5:21,23,24

Tune: 77 77 77 eg Dix (tune of 'As with gladness men of old')

http://rhiannonshymns.co.uk/

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Comments

Submitted by jeand on

HI Rhiannon

 

I quite like the noise of worship that I have been to when visiting churchs other than my own. The orchestsra and the clapping and dancing sometimes must form prayers for those involved, and I am sure God is pleased with this demonstation of their enthusiasm for him.

 

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Hi, Jean.

! I wasn't thinking of the differences in culture, where the more extrovert clapping and dancing can be genuine enthusiasm and joyful expression (Psalm 100:1 in the Authorised translation is 'Make a joyful noise unto the Lord …', isn't it). But in Amos and other places 'lip-service' and proud ostentaious 'worship' is clearly said to be offensive if it's clearly not linked with true devotion and submission to his Word. And so beautiful melodious singing can be offensive 'noise' to him, if it is claiming to be worship but is not so. God's ears are attuned to the heart and mind? Rhiannon