SCRIPTURES for worship

Invitation from Psalm 3

Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people!—Psalm 3:8

This is a perfect example of a call to worship. It’s simple, concise, and immediately reminds listeners that they’re gathered as God’s people. Drawing attention to the Lord’s salvation and the blessings that he liberally pours out upon his children immediately creates an atmosphere of worship.

Call to worship from Psalm 5

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.—Psalm 5:7–8

This call to worship is a little on the long side, but still effective. For an invitation of this length, it’s helpful to have your musicians play under it. This will help draw the worshipers in and keep their attention as the call to worship is recited.

I will give thanks from Psalm 9

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.—Psalm 9:1–2

Obviously, the Psalms are a perfect source to mine for calls to worship. After all, it is the Jewish hymnal, and it’s full of beautiful expressions of reverence. This is a perfect invitation, especially if it transitions immediately into singing.

Shout for joy! Psalm 66

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.”—Psalm 66:1–4

If you’re planning on kicking worship off with an up-tempo song, this passage from Psalm 66 is a great place to start. It’s emphatic, powerful, and perfect for building up worshipful enthusiasm.

Let us worship and bow down: Psalm 95

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!—Psalm 95:6

Brief but compelling, this call to worship is really on the nose. There’s no question what the congregation is being invited to do. It’s the simplicity of this call that makes it so powerful. It’s a good way to begin a worship service that will start slowly and build to an energetic finish.

Make a joyful noise! Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.—Psalm 100

Here’s another longer call to worship that can be used in a number of ways. You can call people to worship with the first stanza, and build the song choices around the other stanzas introducing each song with the appropriate verses.

You can also have people in the congregation stand up and read a different stanza from their place in the sanctuary as a call to worship