Why beauty belongs in worship
When we talk about worship, we often focus on truth. And rightly so — worship is anchored in the revelation of who God is. But somewhere along the way, we’ve sometimes forgotten that truth is not only spoken — it is also shown. Truth is wrapped in beauty.
The psalmist doesn’t just tell us to proclaim the Word; he calls us to “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 96:9). That phrase matters. Beauty is not decorative — it’s formative. It’s not the icing on worship’s cake. It’s the way truth seeps past the intellect and lodges in the heart.
Think about it. A well-crafted song can bring us to our knees in tears. A poetic prayer can awaken hope in a weary heart. An image of Christ on the cross can pierce through cynicism in ways that bullet points never will. Beauty bypasses our defenses and moves us into the space of wonder — and wonder is where worship begins.
This is why our worship gatherings need beauty. Not showmanship, not performance, but the kind of beauty that reflects God’s nature. It might be a harmony that lifts unexpectedly, a silence that hangs like a held breath, a phrase that shines with poetic brilliance, or a liturgy that feels like home.
Because in the end, beauty forms us. It stirs longing. It cultivates desire. It awakens us to the reality that God is not only true — He is good. He is lovely. He is altogether worthy.
If you’re a worship leader, don’t be afraid of beauty. Curate it. Pursue it. Weave it into the songs you choose, the words you pray, the visuals you set before your people. Truth tells us what God is like, but beauty invites us to fall in love with Him.
