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Praise and worship are both emotional and poetic expressions of amazement over the many aspects of God’s character. They are both typically experienced through music. However, you could praise God because of a magnificent sunset and just take in its beauty. And you could worship God in the quietness of your morning prayer without even opening your mouth.
But for the sake of this teaching, let’s look at each of them as music only. Praise and worship are like two sides of a coin. They are both expressions of adoration and amazement for God. But they each take a different approach. Let’s compare and contrast.
Praise moves from an inward to an outward flow. It radiates out of your body and spirit in all directions. Praise is seen and heard. Praise is usually experienced corporately as part of a crowd. Worship, on the other hand, moves on an outward to an inward flow. It penetrates through your body and spirit in all directions inside of you. It may or may not be seen or heard. Worship can be experienced corporately, but is most genuine and impactful when done privately.
Praise is typically high-spirited, enthusiastic, and joyful. While worship is typically softer, quieter, contemplative, and sweet.
Finally praise puts our lives and our challenges in perspective in light of God. While worship puts us in perspective in light of God.
In either case, God’s ear is inclined toward you. When either is sung or expressed from the heart, God shows up. He will make His presence known in various ways. Sometimes just a feeling. Sometimes revelation is shared. Sometimes healing takes place. Sometimes prophecy, teaching or truths are shared... just to name some of His ways of making His presence known.
In IS. 61:3, we are told to “put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”. Praise can alter your spiritual state and release you from heaviness. PS. 22:3 shows us that God inhabits the praises of His people.
If you need God’s attention and presence in your life, start to praise Him and His goodness.
