Confidence in Worship
- Wendy Mann
- May 11
- 5 min read
If you haven't seen the video or listened to the podcast on 'Worship: Wrestle with the One you sing to', I encourage you to do that first before continuing with the rest of this material.
I think we often make assumptions about people in our churches when it comes to sung worship.
I remember when I first started going to the King's Arms. I would watch people lift their hands, jump up and down, shout out prayers, and sing unfamiliar songs. I observed with intrigue because I had no idea what was going on. I don’t remember anyone ever explaining what the different expressions meant, and whenever I heard a preach about worship, it was almost always about living lives of surrender rather than the physical act of worshipping.
How can we grow in confidence in our sung worship and help those we lead to do the same? I have a message I preach that focuses on this very topic. I usually share the message first and then we move into a time of worship. It’s always such a joy to see the change in the room as people respond to the invitation to worship God with all that they are.
If you’d like to watch a recording of this, you can access it HERE.
If you'd like to listen to the podcast you can HERE.
Alternatively, read on for the key highlights.
Psalm 100 is a rich and joyful invitation to worship. While the whole psalm is bursting with insight, let’s take a closer look at verse 4 and the word praise. It’s more than a nice sentiment — it’s a key that unlocks the presence of God.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." — Psalm 100:4
The psalmist paints a picture of someone approaching the temple, moving through the gates, into the courts, and finally into the very presence of God. The key thing to notice is that this journey into the Holy of Holies begins with praise. Praise reminds us of who God is, what He’s done, and what He promises to do. It recalibrates our hearts, lifts our gaze, and leads us into intimacy.
But what exactly does praise look like?
To answer that, let’s explore seven Hebrew words found in Scripture that reveal the depth and breadth of what it means to praise God. Each word shows us a different facet of praise — many of them involving our bodies as much as our words.
1. Barak – To Kneel or Bow in Adoration. It’s a humble position before God
“I will bless (Barak) the Lord at all times.” – Psalm 34:1
This kind of praise is about posture — kneeling, bowing, lying face down. It’s a humble act of adoration and surrender. No words required. It’s praise through the body — silent but often deeply expressive.
2. Yadah – To throw out the hand, to worship with an extended hand, to lift the hands
“Let them give thanks (Yadah) to the Lord for his unfailing love.” – Psalm 107:15
Yadah is about raising your hands — in surrender, in celebration, in awe. For many, this can feel vulnerable or unfamiliar. I remember being hesitant myself, practising in front of a mirror before ever lifting a hand in a worship gathering! But there’s power in this simple gesture. Many people throw out their hands at a football match or a music gig. It's so important that our Yadah praise be much more enthusiastic when we come together to worship Jesus.
3. Towdah – An extension of the hand in adoration or acceptance. Comes from an attitude of praising God before the fact. Thanking God for things not yet received
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving (Towdah).” – Psalm 100:4
This is the word used in our psalm. Towdah is about faith-filled praise — thanking God before we see the answer. It’s not faking it; it’s declaring His goodness in the midst of uncertainty. When I faced news of my hysterectomy, I chose to kneel and worship through my tears. It was a moment of warfare — a declaration that God is still good, still present, still worthy. Towdah praise isn't easy but it's a precious offering to God we're only able to give this side of heaven - before all pain ceases and He wipes away all of our tears.
4. Shabach – To address in a loud tone, a loud adoration, a shout! Proclaim with a loud voice. The attitude of putting your whole being into it, an attitude of being totally uninhibited
“One generation shall praise (Shabach) your works to another.” – Psalm 145:4
Praise doesn’t always have to be quiet or composed. Sometimes it’s a loud, uninhibited shout. It’s like the passion builds up inside and the only fitting response is to release it with a shout of joy. It can feel vulnerable — I’ve often had to push past the fear of being "too much" — but our praise isn’t about drawing attention to ourselves; it’s about giving our all to the One who’s worthy.
5. Halal – To be clear, to shine, to make a show, to boast, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate
“Praise (Halal) the Lord, you his servants.” – Psalm 113:1-3
Halal is extravagant, even undignified praise. Think of David dancing before the Lord with all his might. Sometimes God asks us to do things that feel foolish — dancing, jumping, waving flags, even standing on a chair! It’s not about hype, but obedience. Are we willing to look foolish for the sake of glorifying God?
6. Zamar – To touch the strings, to pluck the strings and sing along. To make music accompanied by the voice. To celebrate in song and music
“Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength; we will sing and praise (Zamar) your might.” – Psalm 21:13
Zamar is the praise we’re most familiar with — singing and playing instruments. But it’s not just about good music. It’s about making a sound that carries spiritual weight. David’s harp drove out torment from Saul. In the same way, our music can shift atmospheres and minister to hearts as we exalt Jesus.
7. Tehillah – The song of praise. To sing a spontaneous new song. A song of praise and adoration
“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises (Tehillah) of Israel.” – Psalm 22:3
Tehillah is the song that bubbles up from within — a spontaneous expression of love and adoration. It often happens when the structured songs stop and the band continues to play. These are moments where we can practise singing our own songs to God. It may take courage and practise, but it adds such richness to our worship, freeing us from being passive participants and instead active partners with the Spirit in praise.
Growing in Praise
As we grow in our understanding and expression of praise, we make space for deeper encounters with God. My hope is that we become a people who are confident and free in our worship — with our hands, our voices, our bodies, and our whole hearts.
So, let’s enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Let’s journey deeper into His presence, one shout, one raised hand, one bowed knee at a time.
He is worthy — always.
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Wendy Mann Equip | www.wendymannequip.com
Building Family, Prioritising God's Presence, Extending God’s Kingdom
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