In using Strong’s NIV Concordance, we learn there were multiple words used for worship in both Old &
New Testaments. In the Old Testament (Hebrew), there are two words that are used more than any
other: ḥāwâ and ‘ābad. The first means: to bow down low in worship, prostrate oneself, pay one honor;
and the second means: to work, serve, labor, do, worship or minister. In the New Testament (Greek),
while there are also several different words, one stands out as the most used – proskyneō. This means:
to pay homage, show reverence, kneel down (before), worship. Think about these definitions as you
prayerfully read the verses below.

NEHEMIAH 9:3, 6
(The Israelites) stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God
for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord
their God. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all
their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to
everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

PSALM 29:2-4
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the
might waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.

PSALM 95:1-7
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us
come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the
great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the
mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it and his hands formed the dry
ground. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is
our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

PSALM 100:1-6
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with
joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his
people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his
faithfulness continues through all generations.

DANIEL 7:13-14
(Daniel speaking) In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,
coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his
presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every
language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and
his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

LUKE 4:8
(When being tempted by Satan) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and
serve him only.’”

ROMANS 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a
living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

HEBREWS 12:27-29
The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things –
so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
for our “God is a consuming fire.”

REVELATION 4:9-11
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and
who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne
and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all
things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”