When you hear the word worship, what often comes to mind? Maybe it’s a place of worship like the church or a person of worship like a worship leader or maybe even a style of worship.

Truth is all of us have certain ideas that come to mind when thinking about worship. Though that’s the case—though all of us think and talk about worship and feel as if it is important—though we have strong opinions about how it should look and be done, too few of us have been equipped from God’s Word with what He has said about Worship.

In Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 Solomon gives us great insight on what true God honoring worship should look like. He says,

To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.

Several times in this passage Solomon talks about the importance of worshipping with an open heart and a closed mouth. The reason why is because our worship is to be based on the truth of God’s word.

Many think, “Worship is all about me singing and shouting praises to God—Worship is all about what I say about Him and to Him.” God’s word says “NO.” True God honoring worship takes place when our hearts are open and our mouths are closed. Worship is just as much about what God says to us as it is about what we say to Him.

Many take part in worship in the church week in and week out not just because they are participating in singing the songs or giving an offering (though that’s a part of worship), but because they are being attentive when the Word of God is being preached—because they are listening with open hearts and closed mouths and because they are open and ready to receive and apply God’s message.  

That's what true worship is.  True worship is focusing on and responding to God.