What Is Worship?

Why Theology in Music Matters

An Exegetical Sound Feature Article

Where Worship Begins

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’”

— Revelation 5:13

Before there were sermons, there was song. Before temples, there was praise. In the throne room of heaven, worship is the eternal atmosphere—angelic choirs proclaiming the holiness of God (Isaiah 6:3), elders casting crowns in reverent awe (Revelation 4:10), and creation itself echoing glory. Worship is not invented by humans—it is inherited from heaven.

And yet, on earth, worship has become a genre. A playlist. A mood. In the age of streaming and sentiment, the question must be asked: What does God call worship?

Why Analyze Music

This article explores worship from a biblical perspective—not as a musical style, but as a theological act—intentional or artistic license inference. It argues that music is never neutral, and that lyrics function as liturgy. Whether in pop culture or the church, songs shape souls. Therefore, we must evaluate them not by popularity or emotional resonance, but by theological fidelity.

To aid this discernment, we introduce a rubric—Exegetical Sound—a framework for testing the theology we sing. Because worship is formative, and formation demands truth.

Worship According to Scripture

1. Worship Is Response to Revelation

Biblical worship is always a response to who God is and what He has done. In Exodus 15, after the Red Sea miracle, Moses and Miriam lead Israel in song:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

— Exodus 15:1

Worship begins with truth—it is not initiated by emotion, but by revelation. The Psalms echo this pattern repeatedly:

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”

— Psalm 145:3

“Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.”

— Psalm 96:2

In John 4:23–24, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman:

“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. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Spirit without truth is sentiment. Truth without spirit is ritual. Biblical worship demands both.

2. Worship Is Theological

The Psalms are not vague expressions of feeling—they are doctrinal declarations. Psalm 103 rehearses God’s attributes: mercy, justice, forgiveness. Psalm 19 celebrates God’s revelation through creation and Scripture:

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

— Psalm 19:1

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

— Psalm 19:7

Paul affirms this in Colossians 3:16:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Singing is not separate from Scripture—it is a vehicle for it. Theological clarity is not optional—it is essential.

3. Worship Is Not Always Musical

Romans 12:1 defines worship as offering our bodies as living sacrifices—holy and pleasing to God:

“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.”

Worship is obedience. It is justice (Isaiah 1:11–17). It is mercy (Micah 6:6–8). Music is one expression, but not the essence.

However, because music embeds ideas into affections, it is uniquely powerful—and uniquely dangerous. That’s why theological discernment is essential.

Music as Theology: Why Lyrics Matter

Andrew Fletcher famously said, “Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.” He understood that music shapes culture more deeply than policy. Scripture affirms this power:

“My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!”

— Psalm 108:1

“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.”

— Psalm 89:1

Songs are not just expressions—they are confessions. They teach, they form, they embed theology into memory. That’s why worship songs must be tested. And that’s why secular songs with theological claims must be examined.

Consider:

• “Only the Good Die Young” (Billy Joel): romanticizes rebellion against religious restraint.
• “Take Me to Church” (Hozier): critiques organized religion while elevating eroticism as sacred.
• “Imagine” (John Lennon): envisions peace through the erasure of religion and heaven.

These are not just cultural artifacts—they are theological statements. And they shape listeners more than sermons ever could.

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Introducing the Rubric: Exegetical Sound

To help evaluate music that claims—even indirectly—a theological message, we propose the following rubric:

Category	Key Question	Rating (1–5)
Theological Claims	What does the song say about God, salvation, sin, or humanity?
Exegetical Accuracy	Are those claims supported by Scripture?
Christocentric Focus	Is Jesus central, or is the message diffuse or man-centered?
Emotional Integrity	Does the emotional tone match the theological message?
Doctrinal Clarity	Are key doctrines clearly and faithfully presented?
Liturgical Suitability	Is the song appropriate for congregational worship or personal reflection?
Cultural Influence	Does the song reflect biblical worldview or secular ideology?

This rubric is not so much a scorecard—it’s a lens. It helps us discern whether a song forms us toward truth or away from it. It applies equally to pop songs with theological overtones and worship songs sung in sanctuaries.

Case Study Preview: “Reckless Love” and the Language of Worship

Take the popular worship song “Reckless Love.” It’s emotionally powerful—but is it theologically precise?

• Theological Claim: God’s love is “reckless.”
• Exegetical Accuracy: Scripture describes God’s love as steadfast (Psalm 136), intentional (Romans 5:8), and wise (Ephesians 1:4–5)—never reckless.
• Christocentric Focus: Strong.
• Emotional Integrity: High.
• Doctrinal Clarity: Mixed—language may confuse.
• Liturgical Suitability: Debatable.
• Cultural Influence: Reflects modern romanticism more than biblical covenant.

This isn’t about condemnation—it’s about clarity. Worship must exalt God as He is, not as we feel.

Back to the Throne Room

In Revelation, worship is not entertainment—it is enthronement. It is the declaration that God reigns, that the Lamb is worthy, that truth is beautiful. When we sing, we join that eternal chorus—or we distort it.

Exegetical Sound exists to help us sing with clarity, not confusion. Because what we sing shapes what we believe. And what we believe shapes who we become.

Let the Word dwell richly.
Let the songs teach wisely.
Let worship be true.