Worship, as a central theme in the Bible, is not merely an act of reverence but a commanded duty for believers. The Scriptures provide numerous instances where worship is explicitly commanded by God, underscoring its importance in the life of the faithful.

Old Testament Commands

In the Old Testament, worship is commanded as an integral part of the covenant relationship between God and His people. The first commandment given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai emphasizes exclusive worship of Yahweh: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). This command establishes the foundation for worship, highlighting the necessity of recognizing and honoring the one true God.

The book of Deuteronomy reiterates this command, urging the Israelites to worship God alone: "Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name" (Deuteronomy 6:13). This directive is not only a call to worship but also a command to live in obedience and reverence to God.

The Psalms, a rich collection of worship literature, frequently command worship. Psalm 95:6-7 invites the faithful to worship: "O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care" . This passage emphasizes the posture of humility and submission in worship, recognizing God's sovereignty and care.

New Testament Commands

In the New Testament, the command to worship continues with a focus on worshiping in spirit and truth. Jesus, in His conversation with the Samaritan woman, declares, "But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him" (John 4:23). This command highlights the inward nature of worship, transcending physical locations and rituals.

The apostle Paul, in his epistles, commands believers to offer their lives as acts of worship. In Romans 12:1, he writes, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" . This command extends worship beyond formal gatherings, calling for a lifestyle of devotion and holiness.

Corporate Worship

The command to worship is not limited to individual acts but includes corporate expressions. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts believers not to forsake assembling together, implying the importance of communal worship: "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching" . This command underscores the significance of gathering for worship, mutual edification, and encouragement.

Worship in Revelation

The book of Revelation provides a glimpse into the heavenly command to worship. In Revelation 14:7, an angel proclaims, "Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters" . This command to worship the Creator is a call to acknowledge His ultimate authority and power.

Throughout the Bible, worship is consistently commanded as an essential response to God's revelation and grace. It is a duty that encompasses both individual and corporate expressions, rooted in the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, holiness, and love.Genesis 35:1
And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar to God, that appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.
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Exodus 23:17,18
Three items in the year all your males shall appear before the LORD God.
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Exodus 34:23
Thrice in the year shall all your male children appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel.
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Deuteronomy 12:5-7,11,12
But to the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even to his habitation shall you seek, and thither you shall come:
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Deuteronomy 16:6-8
But at the place which the LORD your God shall choose to place his name in, there you shall sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came forth out of Egypt.
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Deuteronomy 31:11-13
When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD your God in the place which he shall choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
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Deuteronomy 33:19
They shall call the people to the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.
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2 Kings 17:36
But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall you fear, and him shall you worship, and to him shall you do sacrifice.
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Psalm 45:11
So shall the king greatly desire your beauty: for he is your Lord; and worship you him.
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Psalm 76:11
Vow, and pay to the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents to him that ought to be feared.
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Psalm 96:8,9
Give to the LORD the glory due to his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
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Psalm 97:7
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all you gods.
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Psalm 99:5
Exalt you the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
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Joel 1:14,15
Sanctify you a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry to the LORD,
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Joel 2:15-17
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
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Nahum 1:15
Behold on the mountains the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace! O Judah, keep your solemn feasts, perform your vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off.
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Haggai 1:8
Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, said the LORD.
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Zechariah 14:16-18
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
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Matthew 8:4
And Jesus said to him, See you tell no man; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
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Mark 1:44
And said to him, See you say nothing to any man: but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
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Luke 5:14
And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
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Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
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Revelation 14:7
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
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Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See you do it not: I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
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An Argument for the Exclusive Worship of this God, Who, While He ...
... inference from the fact, who fails to perceive that this God ought to be chosen,
who in so public a manner prohibits their worship, who commanded that their ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxi an argument for the.htm

The Test by Fire
... have commanded that every man who hears the sound of the trumpet, flute, lute, harp,
bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments shall fall down and worship ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the test by fire.htm

Of the Question Why the Heathen Should Refuse to Worship the God ...
... material universe is constructed;" when in the Holy Scriptures of His prophets it
is plainly shown that the people of Israel were commanded to worship that God ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxix of the question why.htm

Concerning Worship.
... a cloud: through and by which mediums visible to the outward eye, he manifested
himself proportionably to that outward worship which he had commanded them to ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

How Should we Make Use of Christ, in Going to the Father, in ...
... 2. Though the believer cannot distinctly act faith on Christ all these ways, when
he is going about commanded duties of worship, yet he should be sure to have ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxix how should we.htm

Epistle x. --Against Bishop Germanus.
... for you have been commanded to worship the gods, and those gods whom all know as
such." Dionysius replied: "We worship no other one." ??milianus, as prefect ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/epistle x against bishop germanus.htm

Sacrifice Renewed
... Moreover, Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises
unto ... reign, in the first month,' he set about restoring the worship of Jehovah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sacrifice renewed.htm

On the Precepts of Divine Worship in General
... In the precepts which prescribe the worship of God, three things come generally
under ... performance; and that the act, the omission of which is commanded by God ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxviii on the precepts.htm

The Chariot of Fire
... of Basle. In consequence he had not observed the stated days and hours of
prayer and worship commanded by the Church. He had regarded ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xlvi the chariot of.htm

The Wrath-Denouncing Angel.
... The worship of God is incompatible with obedience to any power which compels a
violation of His laws. Due obedience to government is commanded, when no ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the wrath-denouncing angel.htm

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