The Song of Adoration: Responding to God’s Glory

In the flow of our worship, what is the Song of Adoration?

This song typically follows the Salutation (God’s greeting), the Prayer of Invocation, and the Call to Worship.

The song itself is a response to God’s gracious greeting to us and is part of our liturgical dialogue with God. It is the point of the service where the congregation collectively lifts its voice in praise and awe of His majesty, holiness, and grace. It is a response of worship, where our adoration for who God is and what He has done is expressed, typically through song. We have been called into the presence of God and welcomed there; Adoration is our rightful response.

As a side note: Understanding this first song in our liturgy can also help us identify the types of music that ought to be sung in our churches.

Many debates have happened over the years about the types and styles of music used in a worship service. However, the real question isn’t simply what kind or what style of music we should use in church. Rather, it is about understanding what we are doing during a worship service. If we believe that we are there to entertain, enjoy, or even attempt to bring the presence of God into our midst, our music and song choices will reflect this.

The question we must first answer is not “What songs can we sing in church?”, “Who wrote the song?”, or “Is it contemporary or traditional?”, but “Do we understand what worship is?” and “Do we understand the elements of worship we are using?”

Understanding the Song of Adoration

The Song of Adoration centers on God’s character and acts. Unlike other parts of the service that might focus on our needs, confession, or instruction, this song is about God. It is a declaration of His glory, an expression of our reverence, and a celebration of His attributes. For those laying out the order of the service, it is important to understand what we are doing in this section of our worship. Otherwise, we may regularly use a song that has a text and meaning intended for a different part of the service.

The songs that are sung should not be chosen at random, which is something I have been guilty of doing myself. The Song of Adoration ought to be a song that makes objective, biblical declarations of who God is and what He has done.

Elements of the Song of Adoration

Scriptural Foundations of Adoration

Scripture is filled with songs and hymns of adoration, demonstrating that singing has always been a means of worship to God. Consider the following passages of scripture that exemplify what a Song of Adoration looks like and the components it carries:

• Psalm 96:1-4: “Sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.”
• Revelation 4:11: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Theological Significance of Adoration

The Song of Adoration should focus on the following theological aspects:

• God’s Attributes: It should direct our attention to the attributes of God—His holiness, sovereignty, love, and faithfulness. This focus helps us worship and respond to God for who He is, rather than what we might receive from Him.
• Reverence: It should provide a means to express reverence and awe. Through singing, we convey the depth of our adoration for God’s majesty.
• A Divine Act: It should connect our worship with the heavenly worship described in Revelation, where the saints and angels continually praise God’s glory. When we sing songs of adoration, we join the voices of the past, the congregations of the present,  and the future eternal chorus.
• God’s Initiative: It should serve as our response to God’s initiative. After hearing God’s gracious greeting in the Salutation, we respond by lifting our voices in adoration, acknowledging His worthiness to be praised.

The Song of Adoration should emphasize the character and works of God:

• Praise for God’s Holiness: It should include an emphasis on God’s holiness and uniqueness.
• Declaration of God’s Sovereignty: It should affirm God’s control and authority over all of His creation.
• Recognition of God’s Love and Grace: It should celebrate God’s redeeming love and grace towards His people.
• Exaltation of God’s Works: It should acknowledge God’s mighty works in creation and redemption.

Examples of Songs of Adoration

Here are a few examples of hymns and songs that may be used as Songs of Adoration:

• “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Reginald Heber: This hymn exalts God’s holiness and majesty, echoing the heavenly statements found in Isaiah and Revelation.
• “How Great Thou Art” by Carl Boberg: This song speaks of God’s creation and His redemptive work.
• “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas Chisholm: This hymn praises God’s unchanging nature (immutability) and His steadfast faithfulness to His people.
• “All Creatures of Our God and King” by St. Francis of Assisi: This hymn calls all creation to lift their voices in praise to God, recognizing His sovereignty over all things.
• “Crown Him with Many Crowns” by Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring: This hymn celebrates the glory of Jesus Christ, extolling His many attributes and roles.
• “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Martin Luther: This hymn honors God as the believer’s stronghold and protector, reflecting on His power and faithfulness.
• “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” by Walter Smith: This hymn praises God’s eternal and incomprehensible nature, acknowledging His wisdom and might.
• “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” by Matt Redman: This song encourages us to bless the Lord, listing reasons for adoration, such as His goodness and loving-kindness.

The Impact of the Song of Adoration

• Elevates Worship: It elevates worship above ourselves by focusing on God’s greatness, lifting our hearts and minds above earthly concerns to behold God’s glory.
• Unites the Congregation: It unites us in collective praise. When John views God’s throne room in Revelation 5-7, the whole gathered congregation joins their voices together to praise the Lamb. Singing is to be a congregational response, not an observational experience.

The Song of Adoration is not a mere tradition or a routine part of the service; it is a moment of worship where we respond to God’s majesty and grace.

Each week, we remember that we are joining with the church universal and the heavenly hosts in praise that transcends time and space, offering our adoration to the One who is worthy of all praise.