Worship That Looks Upward
The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Our worship songs should reflect this — directing the congregation's gaze upward to God's magnificent character rather than inward to our own feelings and experiences.
What to Look For
A God-exalting hymn will:
- Focus on God's attributes — His holiness, sovereignty, faithfulness, justice, mercy
- Use "You/Thou" more than "I/me" — The balance tips toward addressing God
- Celebrate who God IS — Not just what God does for us
- Inspire awe and reverence — A sense of the transcendent
The Balance
This does not mean our songs can never mention human experience. The Psalms are full of human emotion! But even in lament, the Psalms always return to God's character. The question is: where does the song's center of gravity lie?
Examples from Our Library
- Crown Him with Many Crowns — Every verse magnifies a different aspect of Christ's lordship
- All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name — Calling all creation to bow before Christ
- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty — Celebrating God's sovereign, providential care
- Fairest Lord Jesus — Beholding Christ's beauty above all creation
Scripture Foundation
- Psalm 115:1 — "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory"
- Isaiah 6:3 — "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory"