Robert Webber, a worship theologian and professor, once stated that there is no greater definition of worship than one found in the Te Deum (Latin for "You are God"). This is a 4th century prayer. The content is rightly rooted in scripture. It is a prayer that reminds us that worship is primarily prayer. Unfortunately, many do not see worship as a prayer. If we look at it as a prayer it is easy to see that God is the audience of our worship. I think I have mentioned before that the Shona word from Zimbabwe for worship is "Ngatinamatei" literal meaning, "Let us Pray". Webber says, "Worship is a dramatic expression of God's glory and a representation of God's saving deeds in history for which we, the community of God's people on earth, offer grateful praise and thanksgiving."
It is also a place where worship is happening eternally. That place is in the heavens. Jesus alludes to this in John 4:21-23. He repudiates the common Jewish places of worship, locating worship in the Spirit. The "spirit" is Biblically understood as the eternal place of worship around the throne where there is continual worship to God. In a very real way, when we worship we ascend into the heavens and join heavenly worship. John writes of a similar experience in Revelation.
Finally, we see that the Te Deum teaches that worship is not the worship of an essence merely sitting up in heaven, but it is the worship of the One who not only creates, but who also becomes personally involved in creation. The Book of Psalms is filled with "creator" worship. The order of creation, from creator to created establishes our focus in worship and should revolutionize our worship. mjm
