Why are singing, praying, communion, and giving called worship?
Question:
I have been doing a study on worship in the New Testament and although there are about 75 references with the word, none of them are tied in with singing, praying, communion, or giving. So, I was wondering if you knew of a historical notation where, for the first time, worship is described as being any of these four? If the Bible doesn’t say it, when did man first state it in print?
Answer:
You are looking for a precise word being given in the way that you expect it. But in doing so you rule out descriptions of worship that don't necessarily involve the word "worship." For example, Psalms 22:22-31 describes worship (and the word is used buried in the middle of it), yet Psalms 22 is both a prayer and a song and it describes worship as being praise and service to God.
See:
- The Worship of God for the definitions of various words translated as worship
- What is Worship? for what worship means
- Worship for how worship is done
