Q&A: What is Harp & Bowl style worship?

Question: What is Harp & Bowl worship?

Answer: It is a type of worship that is modeled after Revelations 5:8 which refers to "harps" and "bowls." The "harp" represents music coming from musical instruments. The "bowl" represents the prayers of the saints which are rising up before the throne of God.

An easy way to picture this style of worship is to think of it as prayer that is spoken or sung along with music.

A unique feature of this style worship is that it can be sustained without ceasing for long periods of time. One of the reasons is due to the use of scripture as a song book. In addition, when singing the scriptures, a type of call and response singing is used called antiphonal singing. This is where two semi-independent choirs interact with one another, often singing alternate musical phrases.

An important point to be aware of- the main focus of Harp & Bowl worship is not on the singers or the musicians but on the One being worshiped.

Below are some scripture references that highlight: singers, songs, musical instruments, worship

"the voice of the singers at the watering places. They recite the righteous acts of the LORD, the righteous acts of his warriors in Israel..." Judges 5.11

"David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals." 1 Chronicles 15.16

"David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals..." 1 Chronicles 25.1

"All the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God." 2 Chronicles 5.12-14

"Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar. As the offering began, singing to the LORD began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the singers sang and the trumpeters played. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed. When the offerings were finished, the king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped." 2 Chronicles 29.27-29

"...the singers responsible for the service of the house of God." Nemiah 11.22

"For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God." Nemiah 12.46

"...be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5.18-20

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3.16