Does Psalm 95:6 mean we should always bow down when we worship God?

"Z. Y. X." We do not know of any Christians who regard kneeling in prayer as "an imperative duty." We should feel called upon to protest against such a notion. The New Testament does not lay down any rule as to bodily attitude, and we must say that when Scripture is silent, no one has any right to legislate. We certainly do like to kneel whenever we can. We consider it a suited attitude to express the reverential and devotional feelings of the heart. We are often pained to see people habitually remaining seated while prayer is being offered, and that, too, in cases where bodily health or want of space could not be pleaded as an excuse.

It seems to us to show great want of reverence and solemnity. It looks lazy and self-indulgent. We find our Lord kneeling in prayer. (Luke 22:41) We find the apostle Paul kneeling with the elders of Ephesus. (Acts 20:36) It is in every way a becoming posture; but when people undertake to speak of it as "an imperative duty," we regard it as a piece of unwarrantable assumption. We have often found a quantity of self wrapped up in these little crotchets about bodily attitude in praying or singing, We never find persons of any spirituality or real breadth of mind occupied about such things. Our own feeling as to all such matters is this, let people have their crotchets if they will, let them kneel, or sit, or stand, as they feel led; but let them not attempt to force their crotchets or their attitudes as "an imperative rule" upon other people. If a man gives us a "thus says the Lord" we shall, by the grace of God, bow to it; but if it be merely a "thus says Mr. So-and-so," we must take it for what it is worth.

In what attitude do we pray? Kneeling seems to be Scriptural and was formerly universal but there is a danger, particularly in a large company, of the brother who prays not being heard. In some places a microphone with a long lead is passed to the brother as he begins, in which case all are able to say "amen." I have been to a prayer meeting where we were all so tightly packed in that we could not even stand. The attitude of heart is more important than our physical position.

The Greek word generally translated worship[2] is ‘proskuneo'. It has been defined as follows: ‘to … crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage' (Strong's). In some instances it refers to the physical position only (see Q.35). But normally the word is used in relation to bowing before God. This underlines the meaning given above (Q.1). The physical attitude of bowing down which is conveyed by the word ‘proskuneo' illustrates the spiritual attitude that is essential for worship (which is the most important thing, given that as Christians we worship ‘in spirit'; see Q.15).

They that worship God must worship Him in spirit and in truth, and the Father seeketh such to worship Him. John 4:24. They delight in what He is: they "joy in God," and they love Him. To worship 'in spirit' is to worship according to the true nature of God, and in the power of that communion which the Holy Spirit gives. It thus stands in contrast to worship consisting in forms and ceremonies, and to the religiousness of which the flesh is capable. To worship 'in truth' is to worship God according to the revelation which He has been pleased to give of Himself. It would not therefore now be worshipping God 'in truth' to worship Him simply as 'a great God,' 'our Maker,' and 'a great King above all gods,' as in Psalm 95; for He has been pleased to reveal Himself in another light, even as 'Father' to those who are His. They enter into His presence in the spirit of sonship, and in the sense of the love which has given them a place before Him in Christ, as sons according to His good pleasure: the sense of this love, and of the good pleasure of God in having us before Him in Christ, is the spring of worship. The Father and the Son are known, the Father's will is that the Son should be honoured as revealing the fountain of love, and the Son leading the hearts of the many sons into the Father's love. Worship is thus distinguished from ascriptions of praise and thanksgiving: it is the homage of love. Rom. 8:15.

Since God is infinitely great, it is only fitting that we are exhorted to "worship and bow down" (v. 1), — to kneel before our Maker. For if He is Israel's God and Israel the people of His pasture, the character of a sheep is that of submission, which should be true of everyone claiming to believe God (v.7). Yet there is a striking warning immediately given, applicable to the very day this was written, "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion" (v. 8).

An act of respect between man and man, very common in the East, as Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land when he bought a burying place for his dead. Gen. 23:7, 12. Also an act of reverence to God, Ps. 95:6; but strictly forbidden to be done before an idol or image, Ex. 20:5; and treated as an act of worship.

Another point is that Daniel kneeled when he prayed. Oh, if we have time, kneel. Let us bend our knees in the presence of the supreme majesty of God, and indicate our reverence towards Him. However great the blessings He has given to us, we are still creatures, and failing ones at that. Oh, what a privilege to physically bow our knees, indicating that we recognise the supremacy, the greatness, and the glory of God.

And, having referred to the subject of attitude, we would very lovingly call attention to a matter which, in our judgement, demands a little serious consideration; we allude to the habit of sitting during the holy and solemn exercise of prayer. We are fully aware, of course, that the grand question in prayer is, to have the heart in a right attitude. And further, we know, and would ever bear in mind, that many who attend our prayer-meetings are aged, infirm, and delicate people, who could not possibly kneel for any length of time — perhaps not at all. Then again, it often happens that, even where there is not physical weakness, and where there would be real desire to kneel down, as feeling it to be the proper attitude, yet, from actual want of space, it is impossible to change one's position.

All these things must be taken into account; but, allowing as broad a margin as possible in which to insert these modifying clauses, we must still hold to it that there is a very deplorable lack of reverence in many of our public reunions for prayer. We frequently observe young men, who can neither plead physical weakness nor want of space, sitting through an entire prayer-meeting. This, we confess, is offensive, and we cannot but believe it grieves the Spirit of the Lord. We ought to kneel down when we can; it expresses reverence and prostration. The blessed Master "kneeled down and prayed." (Luke 22:41) His apostle did the same, as we read in Acts 20:36, "When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all."

And is it not comely and right so to do? Assuredly it is. And can aught be more unseemly than to see a number of people sitting, lolling, lounging, and gaping about while prayer is being offered? We consider it perfectly shocking, and we do here most earnestly beseech all the Lord's people to give this matter their solemn consideration, and to endeavour, in every possible way, both by precept and example, to promote the godly habit of kneeling at our prayer-meetings. No doubt those who take part in the meeting would greatly aid in this matter by short and fervent prayers; but of this, more hereafter.

Singing unto Him? (95:1-5) 2. Let us worship and bow down (95:6-11)

It is a call to Israel in anticipation of the soon appearing of the expected Saviour-King. The next Psalm will show that He has come. How are they, His people, to welcome Him? With singing, with confession (this is the literal translation of thanksgiving in verse 2), with worship and prostration. And there is the warning now not to harden their hearts, not be like their fathers who could not enter into His rest. His people must welcome Him as a willing, as an obedient people and such will be the humble remnant, having passed through the gracious discipline of the tribulation days. The end verses are quoted in Hebrews 3 and 4.

Bowing, bowing down. "O come, let us worship and bow down." Ps. 95:6. It was forbidden to be paid to images, Ex. 20:5, but was often done. Num. 25:2. Joseph's brethren bowed down before him. Gen. 42:6.

Kneeling, bowing the knee. To God. Isa. 45:23; Eph. 3:14. To the Lord Jesus every knee shall bow, even those under the earth. Phil. 2:10: it was done in mockery, Mark. 15:19; and in sincerity, Matt. 17:14. To Joseph, Gen. 41:43. 3.

Falling down before. Demanded by Nebuchadnezzar in honour of his image, Dan. 3:5; requested by Satan, at the temptation of our Lord, Matt. 4:9; paid to the Lord when an infant by the wise men, and often in the Gospels, Matt. 2:11; Mark 5:33; Luke 5:8; John 11:32; and in heaven by the elders to God and the Lord Jesus, Rev. 4:10; Rev. 5:8, 14; Rev. 19:4.