Worship in the Church: Cymbols and Silence

The doctrine of worship in the Church has been a topic of debate for centuries between many denominations. The debate usually comes between how worship should be acted out in the church, and it usually boils down to either a traditional or charismatic approach of showing God glory. Some denominations are very conservative in their approach to the act of praising God by the congregation. These churches tend to focus on the reverence due to the one true God. Usually these churches will incorporate hymns and scripture readings as a means of outward praise. Some churches will even have a time of silence in order for the individual to reflect of God and to confess sin. In Habakkuk 2:19-20, the writer compares inanimate idols to the Lord when he says, “But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."[i] In this instance, the author focuses on the fear and reverence that belongs to God and God alone. As the body of Christ, then, we can infer that there is a time when silent reverence in the presence of an Almighty God is necessary and even commanded. Job also sits silently before God and says, “Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.”[ii] In order to further understand God, we must listen to Him, because He is worth our attention. I do not believe that these churches are wrong to praise God silently. In many ways this act is good because it deemphasizes the created in order to give fully deserved glory to the Creator. But what should we make of David dancing before the Lord? In 2 Samuel, the Israelites bring, “up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.”[iii] Here, David and the Israelites praise and glorify God in all sorts of charismatic ways. Also, in Psalm 150, the author makes imperative statements to praise God with music and dancing:

Praise him with trumpet sound;
  praise him with lute and harp! 

Praise him with tambourine and dance;
  praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
  praise him with loud clashing cymbals![iv]

Other verses in Scripture command that we outwardly praise God, and if we do not than His the rocks will cry out. It seems that both silent reflection on God’s glory and the outward shout of praise of God are both necessary for the adoration of the Lord. Like many others have said, it comes down to the heart of those praising Him. There is a time for silence before God, and there is a time for vocalizing all that God has done.

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[i] Habakkuk 2:19-20 English Standard Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 19 April 2011.

[ii] Job 6:24 English Standard Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 19 April 2011.

[iii] 2 Samuel 6:15 English Standard Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 19 April 2011.

[iv] Psalm 150:3-5 English Standard Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 19 April 2011.