Psalms 95

There is a clear calling to us to worship. Worship involves action on our part. It involves movement, emotion and effort. Some of our churches over-emphasis the somber aspects of worship while looking down on emotional actions of worship. Other Churches over-emphasis the overt aspects of bodily movement in worship. Psalms 95 calls us to both. 

Sing and Shout

First, the Psalmist calls us to action and movement. “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms,” verse 1.  Sing, shout and speak. I lean more toward the preferences of intellectual acknowledgements of God. In other words, I’d rather sit still, pray and consider God’s greatness quietly. For people like me, the Psalmist calls to me and says “let us sing…let us shout…let us give thanks…let us sing”. My response is simple. Like a spoiled child I say, ‘But I don’t FEEL like it.’

Motion creates Emotion

There is a universal psychological principle that should be considered here: motion affects emotions. When you feel depressed, your body language reveals and reinforces how you feel. You shoulders are slumped, your head is down and your eyes are withdrawn. In this case, your emotions are leading your body and posture. We tend to believe that we have to “give it time” until we feel better internally. We allow our bodies to follow our emotions. We are a victim of our emotions. But the truth is, motion will change your emotions. It’s simple in concept but in reality, it’s tough to act differently than our emotions are telling us to act. But remember, motion affects emotions. If you will let your body language act differently than you feel, your emotions will change. 

Don’t feel like worshipping?

The Psalmist tells us to sing and shout with joy and thanksgiving. There’s no consideration for our mood. When your depressed, stand up, put your shoulders back, lift your head and your eyes and I guarantee, you will feel better almost immediately. Its not easy, but it does work. More importantly, as it pertains to worship, get by yourself daily, if at all possible, and sing and shout joyfully to the Lord. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results. Sing and shout with joy and joy will follow. Speak loudly your words of thanks and thanksgiving will follow.