Worship Him with Music

I firmly believe, nor am I ashamed to assert, that next to theology no art is equal to music; for it is the only one, except theology, which is able to give a quiet and happy mind. This is manifestly proved by the fact that the devil, the author of depressing care and distressing disturbances, almost flees from the sound of music as he does from the word of theology. This is the reason why the prophets practiced music more than any art and did not put their theology into geometry, into arithmetic, or into astronomy, but into music, intimately uniting theology and music, telling the truth in psalms and songs. -- Martin Luther

One of the surest ways to divide a church is to suggest a change to the music.

Why?

We tend to rally around things that are familiar, and hold to that as the ideal. In worship, this might be a particular style, or era in music.

Some swear by the Old Hymns. Others will sing nothing but the latest choruses. For them, even last year's tunes are out of date. Still others have songs from a bygone decade in which their denomination was booming.

Drums? Organs? Blazing guitar solo, or a Capella choral singing? Modern language, or Old English? Latin, possibly? We intuitively understand that music is to have some role in our worship, but it can be difficult to come to consensus.

What is music to do? It should glorify God.

That may seem simplistic, but it is far too easy to find 'spiritual' music that isn't really about God at all.

"Worship" can too often be about what He does (FOR ME), or His Love (for ME), or how faithful He is (to ME), or His Plan (FOR ME).

Sometimes man-centered songs aren't about "me", they are about THEM (ie, the lost). Although interest in THEM is preferable to interest in ME, it is still not truly praising HIM.

The instruments used in music don't seem to matter too much in determining their value. There are many scriptural applications of music with a wide variety of musical styles. Some have harps or lyres, or cymbals. There are references to singing, to clapping hands, to dancing before the Lord.

So, too, with today. Today's so-called innovative instrument will eventually be 'old school'. Every instrument that is viewed as August and "respectable" was, in it's time, an innovation. Organs and pipe organs were once cutting edge. Pianos replaced harpsichords. Guitars replaced other stringed instruments. There really is nothing new under the sun.

There is no 'right' kind of music. Missionaries have learned from past mistakes that while it is necessary to bring the Gospel to new frontiers, bringing the Gospel and bringing the song selections from home are not quite the same thing.

Stop right now and think back to a sermon that really articulated God's eternal love to you. One that comforted you. That reminded you that you are His, no matter what is going on in life around you. Notice the impact (or lack of same) that memories of that sermon stir in you.

Now, think of a simple little song known by Christians most everywhere:

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong. Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.

It is often music that lifts us up from a dark place. It is a song that emboldens the weary. It instructs and reminds the soul of eternal truths. Sometimes a song, however simple, has greater impact than the most profound arguments available. Doctrine (good and bad) in a congregation is sometimes more readily absorbed during the singing, than during the message. With the amount of repetition in song choices, this is hardly surprising, and potentially a good thing.

Every congregation has people who do not read their Bible. It is important that what they sing will at least lift their eyes in the direction of God and His Word, until they can be encouraged to seek it for themselves.

The old hymn writers had this in their favor.
1. Their songs were generally written by theologians. Having people skilled in the word of God writing music greatly reduces heretical teaching / singing. Heretical teaching and singing would have -- quickly or slowly -- been absorbed and accepted unquestioningly by many in the congregation.

2. They were also careful to have the words clear and sensible. They told a story, explained a doctrine, praised an attribute of God, whatever they were set out to do, they did in a way that all present could understand. This was a departure from the beautiful layered choral singing before it, with its emphasis on beauty rather than on the communication of the vocals.

As we are choosing what songs to sing in our churches, or play on our radio, to sing in the shower, or to teach to our children we need to remember:

1. Does it Glorify God?
2. Is what it teaches true?
3. Is it understandable?

If it does these three things, whatever genre it may be, you probably have music with which to praise God.