Dance in the Church Today
Chapter 11
One way the people of God (Jews) have expressed their praise and worship
to the Lord throughout the centuries is through dance. It was, and still is, an
important part of Jewish culture and tradition. People expressed their emotions
during happy, or even sad, events through dance. They naturally expressed their
joy and love for the Lord with dancing.
The Biblical truth of Davidic worship was lost to the Body of Christ (on
a grand scale, but there is always a remnant who hold fast to Biblical truths)
throughout the centuries following the destruction of the Temple in AD 70,
especially during the dark ages.
Davidic worship, which includes dancing before the Lord, is being
restored today. One of the truths of Scripture that the Holy Spirit has been
quickening to the Body of Christ in the last several years has to do with the
restoration of the Tabernacle of David. This is referred to in Amos 9:11:
“In that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen, and
close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build
it as in the days of old.”
The Tabernacle of David was given by revelation (from God) to King David
when he desired to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem after it had
been captured by the Philistines many years before.
The Tabernacle of David is
not referring to the structure — so much — in where the Ark was housed, but is
talking more about the protocol, or modus operandi, that David instituted to be
practiced by the priesthood.
The order of worship in
the Tabernacle of David involved nine basic forms of worship:
·
Speaking
·
Singing
·
Shouting
·
Lifting up of
holy hands
·
Clapping
·
Use of musical
instruments
·
Bowing and
kneeling
·
Standing
·
Dancing
In the present-day Body of
Christ, among many believers, a red flag goes up when it comes to dancing. Many
Christians and many churches think of dancing as that carnal expression which
is found in the world.
Lora Allison, in her book
entitled Celebration – Banners, Dance and Holiness in Worship, comments:
“It is not hard to
understand the criticism, the fear, the negativism — dance of all forms of
worship or service, most clearly reveals in transparency the flaws and flesh of
the vessel. Body language, if you will, often speaks much louder than music or
voice. For this reason, then, we find a strong tide of controversy surrounding
an issue that actually is as Scriptural as raising the voice in song.”
David danced in worship,
and advocated in the Psalms that worshippers praise God in the dance. Today a
pastor, a worship leader, and every believer must ask himself or herself the
question: “What does the Bible teach on this subject?”
Old Testament Dancing
Occasions of Great Joy
Vocal and instrumental
music, together with dancing, were employed on most occasions of great joy.
Some examples include the crossing of Israel through the Red Sea (Exodus
15:20); David dancing when the Ark was returned to Jerusalem (2 Samuel
4:14-16). The dances of the virgins of Shiloh (Judges 21:19-23) were certainly
a part of a religious festivity. Even welcoming returning armies (1 Samuel
18:6; 29:5), the dancing maidens acclaimed God’s victory in holy war. People
danced in celebration at weddings and other special events. The ancient Hebrews
must have danced on every possible occasion.
Men and Women Danced
Separately
There is no Scriptural
record that the Jewish men danced with the women, as is the modern custom of
the West. The two sexes seldom or never intermingled in dance, except where
pagan influences had crept in. The sensual dancing of the daughter of Herodias
(Matthew 14:6) before men at a banquet was the kind introduced among the Jews
by corrupt Greek influence.
For the most part, dancing
was carried on by the women with one leading, as in the case of Miriam (Exodus
15:20-21). Occasionally, men danced as well, as in the case of King David
before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14-16).
Dancing Accompanied by
Tambourines and Singing
Dance is found combined
with some song or refrain (Exodus 15:20; 32:18-19; 1 Samuel 21:11). As in the
case of Miriam the prophetess, as well as on other occasions, a form of
anti-phonal singing was used. Dance is also found combined with the playing of
the tambourine (or timbrel), and other percussion instruments (Judges 11:34; Psalms
68:25; Exodus 15:20).
Old Testament Commands and
Exhortations to Dance
Psalms 150:4 “Praise Him
with the timbrel and dance.”
Psalms 149:3 “Let them
praise His Name in the dance.”
Psalms 30:11 “Thou hast
turned for me my mourning into dancing.”
Ecclesiastes 3:4 “There is
a time to dance.”
Jeremiah 31:4,13 “Thou
shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of
them that make merry. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young
men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy.”
Hebrew Words For Dance
1. Karar (Strong’s 3769): To
whirl; to move in a circle. 2 Samuel 6:14-16
2. Rakad (Strong’s 7540): To
stamp, to spring about (wildly or for joy); jump, leap, skip. 1 Chronicles
15:29; Ecclesiastes 3:4
3. Machowl (Strong’s 4234): A
round dance. Psalms 30:11, 149:3, 150:4; Jeremiah 31:4,13; Lamentations 5:15
4. Mechowlah (Strong’s 4246):
A dance company or chorus. Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 18:6, 21:11, 29:5;
Judges 21:21; Song of Solomon 6:13
5. Gul; Gil (Strong’s 1523, 1524, 7797, 8055): To spin around, to rejoice, be glad, be
joyful. To go in a circle. Psalms 9:14, 14:7, 32:11, 35:1-2, 45:15, 89:15-16,
97:1, 118:24; Song of Solomon 1:4; Zephaniah 3:17; Zechariah 9:9
6. Chagag (Strong’s 2287): To
march in a sacred procession; to move in a circle. Psalms 42:4
7. Dalag (Strong’s 1801): To
spring or leap. Isaiah 35:6
8. Pazaz (Strong’s 6339): To
leap, to bound, to be light, to be agile. 2 Samuel 6:16
New
Testament Dancing
In the New Testament, there is no specific order of worship given for
the Church, but Christ taught that He would fulfill in His Church all that was
written in the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Him (Luke 24:44).
God did not promise to restore the Tabernacle of Moses. His promise was
to restore the Tabernacle of David. He tells us that we are not come unto Mt.
Sinai (Tabernacle of Moses), but we are come unto Mt. Zion (Tabernacle of David
— the Church), which is the church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:18-23). It is
in the Tabernacle of David that we can find the order of worship for the New
Testament church.
David Watson, author of I Believe
in the Church, says: “Dance was never written about as it was never a
problem in the early church.” He believes that when the Apostle Paul spoke of
singing psalms, that both the musical instruments and dance would naturally
accompany the psalm-singing.
Certainly, New Testament believers were happy people. William Tyndale’s
definition of gospel is the word Evangelio,
which signifies good, merry, glad, and joyful tidings that makes a man’s heart
glad, and makes him sing, dance, and leap for joy.
Dance was such a common
part of everyday life in the New Testament that the children played games based
on it (Matthew 11:16-17; Luke 7:32, 15:25).
The strongest argument
presented for dance in the New Testament is based on the Greek word Agalliao, which is translated as
“rejoice”, “joy” or “glad” in English Bibles. The lexicons make a strong
argument for the word to be translated as “dance” or “leap for joy”.
Greek Words For Dance
1. Agalliao (Strong’s 20, 21):
Jump for joy, exult, exceedingly glad. To gush, to leap, to spring up.
Translated in the KJV:
“Rejoice” – John 5:35;
Acts 16:34; 1 Peter 1:6,8; Revelation 19:7
“Joy” – 1 Peter 4:13; Jude
:24
“Glad” – Matthew 5:12; Hebrews
1:9
2. Skirtao (Strong’s 4640): To
skip, jump, leap for joy.
Translated in the KJV:
“Leap” – Luke 6:23
3. Hallomai (Strong’s 242): To
jump, leap, spring up.
Translated in the KJV:
“Leap” – Acts 3:8, 14:10
Forms of Dance
Choreographed Dance
Performance dance includes
a wide range of activities from major stage productions with pageantry and
choreography to a young person simply “signing” the words of a song.
The Hebrew word used to
describe choreographed dance is the word Mechowlah,
meaning “a dance company or chorus”. Many people today are wary of the term
“dance company” in conjunction with the Church. It sometimes brings to mind
thoughts of the worldly system (sensuality and moral decay). Dancing “the
world’s way” is a good example of how the enemy has taken something that is
good and perverted it for his own purpose … and even to the point that many
believers hesitate to touch it with a ten-foot pole.
The word “company” simply
refers to a group, a collection, or a unit of people drawn together for a
common purpose. In the Body of Christ, a dance company refers to a group of
worshippers called to minister in dance before the Lord, just as a choir is a group
of worshippers called to minister in vocal song.
Some Old Testament examples
of a dance company include: Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 18:6, 21:11, 29:5; Judges
11:34, 21:21; 1 Kings 19:16; Song of Solomon 6:13.
The main purpose of
choreographed dance in the Church is to preach or convey a visual message that
can, at many times, be just as powerful as the spoken message. Ministry by God
in dance is a means in which God communicates to His people through movement.
It is a visual manifestation of what God is saying by His Spirit.
Congregational
Participation Dance
Congregational worship to
God in dance is “Let them praise His Name with dancing”, a general expression
of corporate worship, just as we sing together. This type of dancing does not
necessarily have a set form, as each individual will express himself or herself
in a different way.
God is restoring joy to
the Church, and dancing is a vital expression of that joy. Even when God turns
around an individual’s personal captivity of depression and mourning, a natural
response is to dance, skip or leap for joy before the Lord (Psalms 30:11).
Dick Iverson, in his book
entitled Present Day Truths,
comments:
“Dancing before the Lord is worship on a very high
plain and should always be considered and treated as such. It is not merely an
emotional release as some have said. Truly God does and always will come down
to satisfy the emotional needs of His people, but the primary purpose in this
aspect is obedience to the known will of God through our worship.
One of the ultimate expressions of worship in the
believer’s life is the total abandonment of strength until God completely
possesses us in spirit, soul and body. Whatever gods the heathen may worship,
there is to be found somewhere in that worship the expression of dance. This
indicates that there is born in the heart of every man a great desire to
abandon himself in the worship of his god. How much more should we abandon
ourselves with all that is in us unto THE LIVING GOD.”
Dancing in the Spirit
The phrase “dancing in the
Spirit” is many times associated with revival meetings or instances when the
Spirit’s anointing falls upon certain individuals and they begin to dance.
Sometimes a person may dance alone, or several may dance together. Campmeetings
of the past were characterized by enthusiasm, which many times broke out as
people danced up and down the aisles.
It should be noted,
however, that the phrase “dancing in the Spirit” cannot be found in the Word of
God. The lifting of hands, clapping, singing and shouting are all conscious
acts that are done on the basis of an understanding of the Word of God and a willingness
to obey its dictates. Dancing before the Lord is no different. A person does
not have to get a special quickening to sing or dance.
There are times, though,
when the Spirit of God falls and most unusual things occur. For example, I can
remember back to when my grandmother was living. Due to medical conditions
which left her frail and weak, as well as living with an amputated big toe, she
normally had to have assistance when walking and even when using a walker.
However, there were numerous occasions when she would get so enraptured with
the glory of God that she would begin dancing (whirling, springing, and
stamping wildly for joy) up and down the aisles of the church (and with perfect
balance). There was even a time when she danced from the church all the way to
the car, and the parking lot was a gravel lot at that time. When the anointing
for dance lifted, she would return to her normal state of having physical
limitations.
Then at home she would be
washing dishes and begin speaking in tongues. Then she would become enraptured,
and begin dancing in the Spirit in the kitchen, and even going into a
trance-like state.
This example is an extreme
case. The majority of believers do have the physical capabilities to dance
before the Lord, as a conscious act of obeying His Word. Dancing before the
Lord is one way to show our love for Him. It should be considered an honor and
a privilege to dance before the King of kings.
Guidelines for Dance
· Listed below are some appropriate guidelines when it
comes to dancing:
· In the church, dance should be initiated by the
leadership, or at least given permission by the pastor and leadership.
· Dancing is not to please men or show off to them, but
as a way of giving honor to God.
· Bodily expression in worship should not be discounted,
but it should not be done in a lewd or sensual manner.
· Dance in worship should, for the most part, be geared
to involve the whole congregation. Individual or group performance must
enhance, not detract from, corporate worship satisfaction.
· Those who dance should be modestly attired. There are
websites that sell liturgical dancewear.
· Dancing as a form of worship must glorify God and
edify the Body of Christ.
· Ecclesiastes 3:4 says that “there is a time to dance
and not to dance”. We need to be sensitive to the leading and direction of the
Spirit for a particular service.
In studying what the
Scriptures teach about dancing, we see that it is ordained by God and is
pleasing to Him. It is an expression of our love and joy in the Lord. Just as
children naturally dance when they are excited or happy, dancing before our
Heavenly Father is only fitting. Dancing not only is an expression of joy, but also as a means of being filled up with joy.
Just like singing,
clapping, lifting up holy hands, or shouting, dance is also a form of worship
and the Word teaches us to praise the Lord in the dance. The command to worship
in dance is difficult for many believers to fulfill … perhaps because of
self-consciousness, or more commonly, because of one’s upbringing or religious
background. Also, culture plays a significant part when it comes to dance. Some
cultures dance all the time, in both happy and sad times.
Many Christians have been
taught that dancing is a sin and have regarded it as such. Until a believer
gets a revelation of the truths taught in the Word of God regarding dance, he
or she will probably have a difficult time expressing worship in this form.
Some people feel hindered
from dancing in their church because the leadership does not feel comfortable
with it. However, you can always dance at home before the Lord.
Lucien Deiss, in her book
entitled Dance For the Lord, says:
“Song is the joy of the voice; dancing is the joy of the body. Together,
singing and dancing, both created by God, must, like all His other creatures,
praise the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:17 says that the Lord also rejoices (dances by
spinning around) over us.
As a final analysis, dance
in the church should be to glorify God and build up His body. Jeremiah 31:12-13
gives us three ingredients that will help to keep us in balance in this area:
First, God restores the
truths of the Word (the wheat), for everything must be founded on the basis of
the revealed Word of God. Second, God restores the joy of the Lord (wine).
Third, the anointing (oil) comes. When the Word of God and the joy of the Lord
meet up with the anointing, then shall the Church (virgin) rejoice in the
dance. When the foundation has been properly laid in the Word of God, the
expression in the dance can follow.
The Power of Praise
There
is power in praise and worship.
Praise
wins battles, sets the captives free, breaks down walls, and binds the enemy
with chains and fetters.
While
the Israelites were following the Cloud in the wilderness, when it was time to
set up camp, they did so in a very organized fashion.
Judah, Issachar and
Zebulun were on the East side. Dan, Asher and Naphtali were on the North side.
Gad, Simeon and Reuben were on the South side. Benjamin, Manasseh and Ephraim
were on the West side. The Tabernacle was in the middle of the camp, along with
the three families of the priests (Merari, Kohath and Gershon).
When the Cloud moved, the
camps marched forward with Judah as the leader and Benjamin, Manasseh and
Ephraim in the back.
There is prophetic
significance to this. Judah means “praise”. Judah shall go up first (Judges
20:18). “Praise” always goes first.
There are many battles we
face during the course of our lifetime. Sometimes these battles can be
overwhelming and the warfare is intense. Sometimes we are faced with more than
one battle at the same time, and it becomes too enormous for us to handle on our
own.
We can turn to the Lord
for help in our time of need. He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present
help in the time of trouble (Psalms 46:1). We don’t have to rely on our own
strength or power. When we turn these battles over to the Lord, He promised He
would be there to fight our battles for us.
“The battle is the Lord’s”
was the prophetic message that Jahaziel prophesied over King Jehoshaphat in 2
Chronicles 20:14. The kingdom of Judah was faced with three powerful nations,
who had joined alliances, coming against them to attack.
The odds were not stacked
in the kingdom of Judah’s favor. The Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites were too
powerful for them to subdue. And other nations had more sophisticated weapons
and were more skillful in warfare tactics. It looked like Judah would be
defeated unless God supernaturally intervened.
King Jehoshaphat rallied
the people together and they fasted and sought the Lord. Then the Spirit of the
Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite (the tribe of priests and musicians/psalmists
who ministered to the Lord daily in the temple).
Jahaziel said, “Hearken,
all Judah, you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat. The Lord
says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the
battle is not yours, but God's.
Tomorrow go down to them.
Behold, they will come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the
end of the ravine before the Wilderness of Jeruel.
You shall not need to
fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance
of the Lord who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed.
Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
In Exodus 14:14 (in
reference to a different battle), the Lord said to His people: “The Lord will
fight for you and you won’t have to lift a finger!” (Living Bible)
The Message Bible words it
this way:
“God will fight the battle
for you. And you, you keep your mouth shut!”
Psalms 46:10 says “Be
still and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the earth.”
God is saying that this
battle is His, not yours. He will fight this battle and you won’t have to lift
a finger. God is saying to get out of His way and let Him take over. He’s
saying to watch what you say … to keep quiet … and don’t interfere with what He’s
doing.
When King Jehoshaphat had
consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise
Him in their holy [priestly] garments as they went out before the army, saying,
“Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!”
That would sound like an
odd battle plan to send out the singers and musicians to march in the forefront
of the army! All they wore were priestly garments (no armor or natural
weapons). The priests were not trained as soldiers to do combat.
And when the priests began
to sing and to praise the Lord, the Lord set ambushments against the men of
Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were
self-slaughtered. For suspecting betrayal, the men of Ammon and Moab rose
against those of Mount Seir, utterly destroying them. And when they had made an
end of the men of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
And when King
Jehoshaphat’s army came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked at the
multitude of their enemies, and to their astonishment, there were dead bodies
everywhere that had fallen to the ground, and none had escaped! The Moabites,
Ammonites and Meunites had all turned on each other, and every single one of
them was slaughtered.
Not one priest, nor one
man from Judah’s army, were harmed. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to
take the spoil, they found among them much cattle, goods, garments, and
precious things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry
away, so much that it took three days in gathering the spoil.
Praise and worship is one
of God’s mighty weapons in His arsenal. Psalms 149:6-9 says:
6 Let the high praises of
God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
7 To execute vengeance on
the nations, and punishments on the peoples;
8 To bind their kings with
chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute on them the
written judgment — this honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!
The two-edged sword is
talking about the Word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word
of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Ephesians 6:17 And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Praise and speaking God’s
Word has the power to bind the enemy (devil) with chains and fetters of iron.
The power of praise causes confusion among the enemy (demonic) camp so that the
battle you are facing is won by God and you are victorious.
In the account of the city
of Jericho, God gave Joshua the battle plan in Joshua 6:1-5:
1 “Now Jericho was
securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none
came in.
2 And the Lord said to
Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men
of valor.
3 You shall march around
the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you
shall do six days.
4 And seven priests shall
bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark. But the seventh day you
shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the
trumpets.
5 It shall come to pass,
when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of
the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall
of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight
before him.”
This sounds like another
odd battle plan, but it worked just like God said. After they marched around
the city and blew the trumpets and ram’s horn, and gave the shout, the walls
came tumbling down.
They were told to march
around the city with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of
the Covenant was God’s Presence, His resting place. If God’s Presence goes with
you, then you are assured of victory.
Then there is the account
of Paul and Silas in prison. Around midnight they began to pray and sing
praises to God, so that the other prisoners heard them. Suddenly an earthquake
took place, and their fetters fell off and the prison door was opened. The prison
guard got saved, he and his entire household (Acts 16:25-31).
Judah shall plow (Hosea
10:11). Praise plows the fallow ground of our heart. It makes it tender to
receive the Word of God planted in it.
Hosea 10:12 says, “Sow to
yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it
is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Hebrew words for praise,
dance, and other words include:
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Yadah
Strong’s Concordance Number:
3034
Definition: To use (i.e.
hold out) the hand; to revere or worship with extended hands.
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Hilluwl
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 1974
Definition: From halal,
Strong’s 1984 (in the sense of rejoicing); a celebration of thanksgiving for
harvest.
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Halal
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 1984
Definition: To make a
show; to boast; to celebrate.
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Tehillah
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 8416
Definition: From Strong’s 1984
halal; laudation; specifically a hymn
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Barak
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 1288
Definition: To kneel; to
bless God as an act of adoration.
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Zamar
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 2167
Definition: Striking with
the fingers; to touch the strings or part of a musical instrument; to play upon
it, to make music, accompanied by the voice; to celebrate in song and music.
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Towdah
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 8426
Definition: From 3034; an
extension of the hand; lifting up holy hands; adoration; a choir of
worshippers.
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Shabach
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 7623
Definition: To address in
a loud tone; shout to the Lord; commend; glory; triumph
English Word: Praise
Hebrew Word: Shebach
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 7624
Definition: Corresponds to
Strong’s 7623; to adulate; adore
English Word: Clap
Hebrew Word: Kaph
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 3709
Definition: The palm of
the hand; the bowl of a dish; the leaves of a palm tree; figuratively, power.
Psalms 47:1
English Word: Clap
Hebrew Word: Macha
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 4222
Definition: To rub or
strike the hands together in exultation – Psalms 98:8; Isaiah 55:12
English Word: Dance
Hebrew Words: chuwl or
chiyl
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 2342
Definition: A primitive
root; properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e.
(specifically) to dance.
English Word: Dance
Hebrew Word: Raqad
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 7540
Definition: A primitive
root; properly, to stamp, i.e. to spring about (wildly or for joy): KJV - dance, jump, leap, skip.
English Word: Dance
Hebrew Word: Machowl
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 4234
Definition: From Strong’s 2342;
a (round) dance.
English Word: Dance
Hebrew Word: Mechowlah
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 4246
Definition: Feminine of Strong’s
4284; a dance company. Choreographed dance; to weave, to contrive, to plait.
English Word: Dance
Hebrew Word: Karar
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 3769
Definition: A primitive
root; to dance (i.e. whirl).
English Word: Dance
Hebrew Word: Chagag
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 2287
Definition: To march in a
sacred procession; to move in a circle; to celebrate.
Greek words:
English Word: Dance
Greek Word: Choros
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 5525
Definition: A ring; a
round dance; a band of dancers and singers; a choir.
English Word: Dance
Greek Word: Orcheomai
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 3738
Definition: A row or ring;
to dance (from the ranklike or regular motion); to put into rapid motion.
English Word: Sing
Greek Word: Aido
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 103
Definition: To sing.
English Word: Sing
Greek Word: Psallo
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 5567
Definition: To twitch or
twang, i.e. to play on a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with
music and accompanying odes).
English Word: Sing
Greek Word: Humneo
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 5214
Definition: From NT:5215;
to hymn, i.e. sing a religious ode; by implication, to celebrate (God) in song.
English Word: Psalm
Greek Word: Psalmos
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 5568
Definition: From 5567; a
set piece of music, i.e. a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or
other instrument; a “psalm”); collectively, the book of the Psalms.
English Word: Praise
Greek Word: Ainesis
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 133
Definition: From NT:134; a
praising (the act), i.e. (specially) a thank (-offering).
English Word: Praise
Greek Word: Aineo
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 134
Definition: From NT:136;
to praise (God).
English Word: Praise
Greek Word: Ainos
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 136
Definition: Apparently a
prime word; properly, a story, but used in the sense of NT:1868; praise (of
God).
English Word: Praise
Greek Word: Epainos
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 1868
Definition: From NT:1909
and the base of NT:134; laudation; concretely, a commendable thing.
English Word: Praise
Greek Word: Epaineo
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 1867
Definition: From NT:1909
and NT:134; to applaud.
English Words: Praise,
Worship, Honor, Glory
Greek Word: Doxa
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 1391
Definition: From the base
of NT:1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or
figurative, objective or subjective).
English Words: Magnify,
Glory, Honor
Greek Word: Doxazo
Strong’s Concordance
Number: 1392
Definition: From NT:1391;
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application).
Notice that according to these definitions, in the New Testament (as in the Old Testament), the singing of psalms and hymns was accompanied by musical instruments.
Power in Worship
There
is power in worship. Worship breaks yokes and bondages, drives out demons,
heals the sick and eradicates diseases, and ushers in the Glory of the Lord.
Worship
is more intimate than praise. The Greek word for worship is proskuneo
(NT:4352). It is defined as:
From
NT:4314 and a probable derivative of NT:2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog
licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or
figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore).
Anyone
who has had a dog understands the significance of a dog licking his master’s
hand. A dog is very affectionate and loyal, and adores his master. Growing up
we had a dog named Rusty. He was extremely loyal and affectionate with his
family.
Worship
ushers in the Glory of the Lord.
Worshipping
the Lord is the main key to having communion with the Holy Spirit. Worship
invites God’s Presence to come and dwell in your midst. Psalms 22:3 in the KJV
says that God inhabits the praises of His people. The NKJV words it this way:
“But You are Holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
For
over 20 years, almost every single night after the family had gone to bed, I
would spend time worshiping God on my keyboard piano with the headphones on. I
would primarily focus on worship music, and entering into the Holy of Holies. I
remember those nights of feeling God’s Glory and Anointing so strong. Sometimes
I breathed in the beautiful fragrance of the Lord.
I
would play known songs, and then transition into playing in the Spirit under
the Anointing. There were many times that as I was playing in the Spirit, that
I would tap into a spiritual portal and hear angelic choirs singing.
(During
that time I had a dream of a choir in Heaven singing the song “Knowing You,
Jesus, knowing You. There is no greater thing. You’re my all, You’re the best,
You’re my joy, my Righteousness, and I love You Lord.” They sang the verses in unison
and then for the chorus they broke out into more than four parts. It was
soooooo heavenly, glorious, beautiful and anointed! The power of God was so
strong!)
I’ve
had many dreams about Heaven over the years, and I believe it stems from
spending time in prayer, worship and the Glory.
For
a side note, Heaven has so many rainbows, and rainbows in Heaven come in
different shapes. Some have vertical colors, while others have horizontal
colors. Bridges and buildings issue rainbows. And in fact, God, the saints and
pets issue rainbows from their countenance. It’s the Glory of God.
On
many occasions when I would be playing my keyboard in the Spirit under the
Anointing, I tapped into what sounded like an intercessory prayer room in
Heaven, where men and women would sing out their prayers and intercessions. Sometimes
the songs would be sung in Major chords, but most of the time the intercessory
songs were sung in the Minor keys. They sang many songs of victory.
They
also sung in anti-phonal mode much of the time, where one choir answers or
repeats the first choir. Sometimes I would have visions while playing under the
Anointing.
On
more than one occasion, when I would begin to tap into Heaven’s intercessory
room, I would call my mother to come and listen in to see if she was hearing
the same thing. She said that she, too, heard what was happening in the
intercessory prayer room.
For
years I led worship for a local chapter of Women’s Aglow. In March of 2011, I
led in worship the beautiful and anointed song written by Terry MacAlmon entitled
“Holy Are You Lord”. It’s about the Throne Room in Heaven and the worship taking
place. That evening we encountered a visitation of God’s Glory, and the Cloud
of Witnesses joined with us in our worship and meeting. (An Aglow leader
prophesied that at the meeting that the Cloud of Witnesses, including our loved
ones in Heaven, were looking on and joining us for our meeting, but especially
while we were singing “Holy Are You Lord”.) It was an awesome meeting that
evening!
When
I was not playing my keyboard, I was worshiping God with anointed worship CD’s
and Cassettes. I would have them playing in the car or in the house almost
daily.
For
the last 8 years I have spent so much time focusing on the office of the
teacher, and busy writing teachings and books, that I have not spent that time
in worship like I used to. And I really miss it.
Last
summer in July of 2018, the Lord gave me a simple worship song through a dream
I had. The setting was Heaven, and a group of people were singing a certain
worship song. I heard the instruments and the words clearly, and wrote
everything down. After that experience, God gave me another worship song, but
this time I audibly heard the song, lyrics and instruments during the afternoon
while I was awake. I was worshiping God on my keyboard around 2:00 pm, and
began audibly hearing a song from Heaven, so I wrote it all down. This was the
first time that I audibly heard a song from Heaven during waking hours. Usually
when I hear songs, it’s in a dream while I am asleep.
This
week I was reminded of a few songs I wrote beginning 30 years ago that I need
to get published and recorded.
Psalms
100:2 tells us how to approach the Lord’s Presence. He says to come before His
Presence with singing (worship), and come before His courts with praise. He
says to bless His Name, for He is good. In Verse 4, it says to enter His gates
with thanksgiving.
The
phrases “entering into His gates” and “entering into His courts” are terms in
reference to the Tabernacle, God’s Holy dwelling place. The Tabernacle
consisted of an outer court, Holy Place and Holy of Holies.
In
the Holy Place, the articles of furnishings consisted of the seven-branched
Menorah, Table of Shewbread and Altar of Incense. God’s Glory filled the Holy
Place, but His Glory was in fullest measure in the Holiest of All between the
cherubim.
Singing,
thanksgiving and praise is Step 1 to entering into God’s Presence (Psalms
100:2).
It
doesn’t stop with praise. Praise is just the beginning. The next level of
progression is entering into the Holy Place, which is worship. Worship is
deeper and more intimate than praise. Praise is usually audible, where worship
could be audible or silent within the heart. Praise is a form of complimenting
God and affirming His Greatness, whereas worship is coming together as one with
the Lord. Worship is where you tell Him how much you love Him, how sweet He is
to you, and kissing the Lord so to speak. It’s the place of Divine Romance with
the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Worship
and intercession correspond to the Altar of Incense inside of the Holy Place,
located beside the Veil. Sweet aromatic spices were burned on the altar,
filling the place with smoke. Our worship and prayers are likened to the
sweet-smelling aroma of incense ascending into the nostrils of God, for which
He is well pleased. David said that prayer and worship is as incense rising to
God’s Throne. Psalms 141:2 says, Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as
incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
The
Altar of Incense was located right next to the Veil, separating the Holy Place
from the Holy of Holies. Worship (as represented by the Altar of Incense) is
the doorway to the Holiest of All, which is the realm of the Glory of God.
There
is a third dimension of God’s Presence. Praise is the first dimension. Worship
is the second dimension. If you linger long enough in worship, it leads to the third
dimension, which is the realm of the Glory of God. The Glory is the atmosphere
of Heaven coming down to earth.
You
can only access the Glory when you spend time waiting on the Lord and
worshipping Him.
There
are realms or depths of the Glory, according to Ezekiel 47:3-5. Water and the
River of God represent the Glory and Anointing.
–Ankle deep
–Knee Deep
–Water up to the loins
(thigh and waist)
–Water so deep that you
are swimming
–A river uncrossable … you
have to flow with the current
Tabernacle
Layout (Do you see the shape of a Cross in the Furnishings?)
