What does the Bible say about the heart's role in worship?

The Bible repeatedly highlights the importance of the heart in worship, as Jeremiah teaches that the condition of our hearts affects our relationship with God. In Jeremiah 6:16, the Lord calls His people to stand in the ways and look for the old paths, where the good way is, indicating that the heart must be aligned with God for genuine worship to occur. A heart that is fixed on the Lord, as David reflects in the Psalms, is essential for true praise. Worship that originates from a broken and contrite heart is valued by God, who desires truthfulness in our worship.