The Aspects of Worship

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-7-2026

Psalm 96

 

A.  The Psalms teach over and over to God’s people how and when to worship.  I call “worship” the missing ingredient in churches. 

 

1.  Worship is not just attendance.  A believer can attend every church service and still not get involved in the worship service.

 

2.  Worship is a personal thing that leads to the corporate worship of the local church. 

 

3.  Worship requires involvement along with order.  I have seen worship services that got out of control.  I have seen singing and praise take the place of preaching. 

 

4.  Preachers said, “It got on tonight, and I didn’t even get to preach.”  At that point, my question is “Got on what?’ 

 

5.  The church house is the pillar and ground of the truth!  The church is where the pastor is commanded to preach the Word.

 

B.  Worship also encourages one another.  Hebrews 10:25 tells us to encourage one another.  “One another” means I need to encourage you but you also need to encourage me!  It is reciprocal! 

 

C.  So, I believe that Psalm 96 deals with the personal aspect of worship. Let’s break the psalm down into its parts as they concern worship.

 

1.  The Aspect of Singing.  Verses 1-2.  I cannot overstate the importance of personal singing.

 

Psalms 96:1-2  O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.  (2)  Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

 

a.  Our singing is to be vocal.  Totally different from the making melody in our hearts when filled with the Spirit.  Open your mouth and let her go!  Make a loud noise.

 

b.  Our singing is to be continual.  This speaks of a new worship each time we worship.  Worship last week did not extend to this evening.  

 

2. The Aspect of Worship. Verses 3-5.  “worth ship”  Declaring what God means to us.

 

Psalms 96:3-5  Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.  (4)  For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.  (5)  For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

 

a.  Declaring God's Glory to an unsaved world.  Don’t be afraid to talk about the Lord before the lost.  “Let your light so shine” that the world will see Christ in you, the Hope of glory.

 

b.  Declaring God’s Greatness before the Church.  Popcorn testimonies.  If God has done something special for us, we need to share it in the church as an encouragement.

 

3.  The Aspect of Giving.  Verses 6-9.  

 

Psalm 96:6-9  Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. (7)  Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.  (8)  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. (9)  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. 

 

a.  Give the Lord Honor and Majesty.  Put God in His proper place.  He is worthy to be praised.

 

b.  Give the Lord Your Strength.  Allow God to use you.  God wants and uses bodies.

 

c.  Give the Lord an Offering.  An offering is above the tithe. 

 

d.  Give the Lord a Holy Life.  The beauty of holiness.

 

4.  The Aspect of Submission.  Verse 10. 

 

Psalm 96:10  Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. 

 

a.  Worship bows to the Sovereignty of God.  Acceptance of God’s will and way as what he deems best.  Just praise the Lord despite of circumstances.  People normally praise the Lord when all things are good and what we want. 

 

b.  Worship submits to God’s Ruling. 

 

Luke 22:42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

 

5.  The Aspect of Anticipation.  Verses11-13. 

 

Psalm 96:11-13  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.  (12)  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice  (13)  Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

 

a. Creation rejoices in anticipation as:  The heavens rejoice, the earth is glad, the sea roars, the field is joyful, and the trees rejoice. All creation looks forward to the reign of their Creator.

 

b.  The believer is filled with Hope.   Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;