Worship has always meant the same thing, it means to humble yourself and give yourself up to the glory of God the Father. What worship looks like has changed a little bit between the Old and New testaments. The physical acts of worship have changed because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us. But our expressions of worship have changed little. In the Old testament David is probably our greatest example of worship being expressed physically. David wrote most of the books of Psalms, which went on to be the go-to guide for worship for new testament believers. David wrote about coming before the Father, and kneeling, lifting his hands, shouting, and singing to God. David was the original Chris Tomlin.
Our expression in worship have changed less over time and more culturally than anything else. New testament believers have the benefit of having the Psalms before them. Old testament acted only what God was calling them to do. They had the initial joy of knowing that God told them to lift their hands to him, where we see their acts and want to lift hands as well. The ways we worship have changed, but it hasn't all changed. David would arrange music to be played while they sang songs praising God. That sure looks familiar. Songs are still being sung to this day in honor of our God. Songs might be the most evident expression of worship that has lasted over time. And God always works through the power of His songs.
We see this in Acts when Paul and Silas were imprisoned and they sang worship hymns in their cells. God was glorified by this and made the earth shake and their prison doors open. God is and always has been an amazing God. He has never changed. He is the same God of the old testament and the New. He has always been worthy of our praise and that will never change. Throughout culture and time, forms of worship may change. But they will still be there to glorify the one true God.
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