I'd rather be in a deep, dark grave

Recognize the lyrics?  Probably not  unless you are a classic country gospel music fan or are over 60 years old.  It is from the Hank Williams Sr. ( died in 1953) song House of Gold.  The lyrics of the whole song are:

People steal, they cheat and lie
For wealth and what it will buy
Don't they know on the judgement day
Gold and silver will melt away

I'd rather be in a deep, dark grave
And know that my poor soul was saved
Than to live in this world in a house of gold
And deny my God and lose my soul

What good is gold and silver, too
If your heart's not good and true
Sinner hear me when I say
Fall down upon your knees and pray

Right now you're thinking, where is this going?  Well, this morning in the church service at Silver Dollar City, the pastor and his family from Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.,sang the House of Gold song; but, before singing, he asked: Is singing a hymn or praise song, worship?  Maybe, maybe not.  He put forth the concept that worship means recognizing and acknowledging the words being sung and then responding in accord with the lyrics.  He then sang the above song.  I had heard this song many times before but never considered it a song of worship.

To help explain worship, I ask you to consider being a University of Michigan fan, who has been in The Big House when 100,000+ fans sing The Victors fight song. To a Michigan State fan, they look stupid.  They could sing the same song; but, it would be without recognizing, and acknowledging the words being sung; and, then responding in accord with the lyrics.  A shiver goes down your back. They are in essence worshiping.  How about when the National Anthem is being played, Taps or Amazing Grace on bagpipes at a funeral of a slain soldier, fireman or police officer.   How many Christians  worship with the same adoration and praise when they sing.  Oh, that we would worship with the same emotion with no thought of how we look to those around us.  God covets our praise.  Jesus rebuked the  Pharisees when they wanted Him, to rebuke his disciples, when they praised him on what we celebrate as Palm Sunday.  He said:  “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”

Let us never have the stones around us cry out in praise because it makes us uncomfortable!