In Strong’s Concordance, worship (Greek: “proskuneo”) is defined as to bow down, prostrate oneself, or show reverence and adoration, particularly towards God. It conveys a sense of deep respect and honor in acknowledging the divine.
Scripture
5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
Worship Definition in Strong’s Concordance
The term “worship” in Strong’s Concordance, derived from the Greek word “proskuneo,” encapsulates a profound act of reverence and submission, revealing the heart’s posture towards the divine. Predominantly used in contexts where individuals express deep respect, veneration, and adoration towards God, this concept transcends mere physical acts such as bowing down or prostrating oneself. In John 4:24, Jesus articulates that “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth,” indicating that true worship is not confined to external displays but originates from a heart aligned with God’s nature and truth. This verse emphasizes that genuine worship is relational, seeking an authentic connection with God that is rooted in the reality of who He is.
Furthermore, worship, as elucidated in the biblical framework, serves as an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and majesty, compelling believers to align their lives in servitude and obedience to His will. Romans 12:1 reinforces this broader understanding of worship by inviting believers to present their bodies as “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God,” which Paul describes as “true and proper worship.” This holistic approach signifies that worship encompasses all aspects of a believer’s life, including actions, words, and thoughts, underscoring that worship is not merely a singular act but an ongoing lifestyle of devotion to God. Such a perspective encourages believers to realize that worship is central to their identity in Christ and reflects their response to His grace and magnificence.
In addition to the idea of worship as a profound act of reverence encapsulated in “proskuneo,” Strong’s Concordance also highlights another Hebrew term, “shachah,” which similarly denotes bowing down or prostrating oneself before a superior. This ancient expression of honor paints worship as a physical and emotional engagement with God, one that acknowledges His ultimate authority and greatness. Throughout the Old Testament, instances of “shachah” often occur in contexts of communal worship or in moments of personal devotion, suggesting that both individual and corporate acts of worship are fundamental to the believer’s practice. This term emphasizes the ascription of worthiness and respect to God, inviting believers to enter a relational exchange that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.
Moreover, the concept of worship extended by Strong’s Concordance is reinforced through its connection to covenantal fidelity, where worship emerges as a response to God’s faithful acts in history. In the Gospel narratives, worship frequently manifests as an expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God’s providential care. This dynamic suggests that worship is not only about expressing love and devotion but also about recognizing and celebrating God’s covenant promises. As the faithful recount God’s mighty deeds and their implications, they are drawn into deeper reverence. Therefore, worship becomes integral to the life of a believer, forming a reciprocal relationship grounded in remembrance, experience, and community, threading through the entirety of biblical teaching and practice.
The Act of Reverence and Adoration
In Strong’s Concordance, worship is often defined as an act of reverence and adoration towards God. This encompasses not only the physical act of bowing or prostrating oneself but also the internal attitude of the heart that acknowledges God’s supreme authority and holiness. Worship in this sense is a holistic response to God’s nature, reflecting a deep-seated respect and love.
Service and Devotion
Another broader meaning of worship in Strong’s Concordance relates to the concept of service and devotion. This interpretation emphasizes that worship is not limited to ritualistic practices but extends to the way individuals live their lives in service to God. It involves dedicating one’s actions, thoughts, and resources to honor God, thereby making every aspect of life an expression of worship.
Acknowledgment of God’s Sovereignty
Worship also signifies the acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and power. In this context, worship is an expression of recognizing God’s ultimate authority over all creation. This understanding encourages believers to submit to God’s will and to celebrate His greatness through praise, thanksgiving, and obedience, reinforcing the relationship between the Creator and His creation.
How to Deepen Your Worship and Faith as a Christian
Deepening your worship and faith as a Christian is a beautiful journey that invites you to explore the depths of your relationship with God. Start by setting aside intentional time for prayer and reflection, allowing yourself to be still in His presence; this quiet time can transform your heart and mind. Engage with Scripture daily, not just as a text to read, but as a living conversation with God—ask questions, seek understanding, and let His words resonate in your life. Consider joining a community of believers, where you can share experiences, worship together, and support one another in faith. Remember, worship is not confined to Sunday services; it can be expressed in your daily actions, gratitude, and love for others. As you cultivate these practices, you’ll find that your faith deepens, and your worship becomes a vibrant expression of your love for God and His creation.
Bible References to Worship Definition in Strong’s:
Exodus 34:14-17: 14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),
15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice,
16 and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.
17 You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal.
Deuteronomy 6:13-15: 13 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.
14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you—
15 for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
1 Chronicles 16:23-31: 23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
30 Tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
2 Chronicles 7:1-3: 1 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house.
3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Psalm 29:1-2: 1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
Psalm 95:1-7: 1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,
Psalm 99:5-9: 5 Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!
Isaiah 6:1-4: 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isaiah 66:22-23: 22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.”
23 From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord.
Matthew 4:8-11: 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
John 4:19-24: 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.”
22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Romans 12:1-2: 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Philippians 3:3-7: 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Hebrews 12:28-29: 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Revelation 4:8-11: 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 14:6-7: 6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.
7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.