Blended Music Before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 2

   Blended Music Before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 2 

       With the introduction, given in yesterday’s discussion, I want to explain why gospel hymns like “What a Wonderful Savior” by E.A. Hoffman are appropriate for 21^st century public worship.  Each verse of this song is a clear confession of faith taken from the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.                                  

                                    Christ has for sin atonement made,

                                    We are redeemed: the price is paid.

                                    I praise Him for the cleansing blood-

                                    That reconciled my soul to God.

                                    He cleansed my heart from all its sin-

                                    And now He reigns and rules there-in.

                                    He gives me overcoming power-

                                    And triumph in each trying hour!

                                    To him I’ve given all my heart.

                                    The world shall never share a part.

Each thought of each line is followed by the corporate (choral) response: “What a wonderful Savior!”  Each complete verse is then followed by the strong chorus:

                                    What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus!

                                    What a wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord!

This gospel hymn has the best of everything.  It includes:

                                                Atonement

                                                Redemption

                                                Cleansing by the efficacious blood of Christ

                                                Reconciliation

                                                Cleansing from all sin

                                                Christ reigning in the believer’s heart

                                                Christ’s overcoming power given to believers

                                                Triumphant Christian living

                                                A life sold out to Christ

                                                Freedom from the power of this world

       This gospel hymn also is loaded with expressions of repeated praise to our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This song is a classic example of many songs that may be found in any standard Hymnal.  Although the musical vehicle is simple harmonically and rhythmically, it is a proper vehicle to support this mighty lyric gospel hymn.  Next Sunday give this  gospel hymn a try in Sunday morning worship.  The fundamental understanding of the Bible doctrines imbedded in this song will help you in your presentation of this wonderful song to your congregation.  P.S. note the importance and credence that punctuation gives to this lyric poetry.

                                              Thought For the day-Blending –Part 2 

Music is an aid to memory.  This song contains ten times the theological thoughts that some “one thought” choruses contain.

Blended Music Before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 1

                                                                

   Blended Music Before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 1 

       About 100 years before blended music for worship became popular in public worship as part of the worship the worship renewal movement, Elisha A. Hoffman wrote the words to “What a Wonderful Savior”.  This song may be defined as a gospel hymn.  There are several definitions given for the gospel hymn by various authors.  These definitions run from a “mixture song” which includes praise to God mixed with clear fundamentalist doctrine to “simple songs with an elaborate chorus”.  Some of the definitions that I have found have been positive but others are very negative considerations of this musical genre especially because they stress adherence to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.

        Notably, the early gospel hymns were developed first by George Root (1820-1895), William Howard Doane (1832-1915), Robert Lowery (1826-1899), Philip Bliss (1838-1876), et al.  There have been a host of writers who have produced these mixture songs in the 20^th century.  Current writers are particularly negative about gospel songs that exhibit clear fundamentalist doctrine and the fact that these songs are quite simple harmonically.

       Although there are numbers of these songs that are anything but “classics”, time has already shown that they are not the only religious songs that often rightfully fall into obscurity after a short period of popularity.  At this point in time there is an emphasis on worship music that centers almost entirely on God with little or no content about man’s relationship to God.  The claims of the gospel are purposefully omitted from the bulk of praise and worship choruses.

Certainly, praise to God is not an option but rather a necessity for worship musicing.  However, as I have said often, so are songs of prayer, confession, contrition, the Trinity, Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, the second coming, and a host of other doctrinal and creedal content.

       So, the gospel hymns written by the hymnists listed above were an integral part of the Moody, Sankey worship and evangelistic services.  Louis F. Benson notes that, “Their work [the gospel hymn] was appropriated in Dwight L. Moody’s English campaign and his later call upon American churches to add evangelism to worship.”  The Hymnody of the Christian Church, by Louis F. Benson, p.266   The concept of having an element of evangelism and fundamental doctrines of the church as a part of public worship is not popular in many churches today.  My philosophical question to those who oppose an element of evangelism in worship is, “Just when are songs that teach fundamental doctrines and have an evangelistic appeal appropriate for the modern audience?”

        Many fundamentalist churches have shortened or removed revivals, camp meetings and evangelistic campaigns from their schedule of public services.  These same churches sing a repertoire of praise songs on Sunday morning and Sunday evening and at the midweek service, with little or no songs that catechize the audience in the cardinal doctrines of the church.  When should the church music present the claims of the gospel and give people an opportunity to come to know Christ by a personal profession of faith?  It seems that, if the modern fundamentalist churches are attempting to be seeker sensitive, they need to add an element of evangelism to their worship musicing in order for it to be a proper concomitant to the preaching of Christ crucified.  I want to emphasize again that I believe praise and worship music must hold a place of centrality in all the public services of the Assembly of Believers.  However, although praise music is fundamental to Christian worship, so is the exposition of the other cardinal doctrines of the church.

Delivered from Evil Doers

Delivered from Evil Doers 

       Jeremiah 20:13 states, “Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.” 

       The enemy of the Christian musician’s soul desires to take his revenge out on the Christian musician.  He waits for us to be enticed into sin.  Satan is smart and he is subtle.  Jeremiah 20:11 says, “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail.”  Although the enemy of thy musician’s soul is crafty and powerful, our God is a “mighty terrible one”.  Therefore, Satan is no match for our Lord.  God is big enough and mighty enough to not only fight Satan but to also to win the battle for the Christian musician’s soul.

       Jeremiah was a lot like Christian musicians.  He was prone to depression (Jeremiah 20:14-18).  One moment his faith reached out to Jehovah and in the next he was deep into despair.  We as musicians should learn from Jeremiah’s mistakes.

       When Satan begins to accuse you, you must look up to Jesus.  In the time of depression move in closer to the great heart of God and trust Him and believe his Word.  You will find strength in reading scripture, praying, and singing His praises.  You should count your God given blessings and resist Satan in the name of the LORD.  If you do, Satan will have to withdraw because of the power of our God that surrounds us.

       Note that the Scripture admonishes us to sing unto the LORD.  When you are oppressed and become depressed, praise the Lord with singing.  If you praise God with singing and God will “inhabit your praise”.  Our heavenly father will abide with you i.e. he will dwell with you because Jesus is a friend that will stick closer than a brother. 

                                                Thought for the day-Delivered 

When you can not seem to pray your way to victory over Satan’s oppression, try praising your way to victory with singing.”

How the Musician should use His Tongue

How the Musician should use His Tongue 

 Psalm 30:12 states, “To the end that my glory may sing to thee, and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”  The authorities do not agree as to what the words “my glory” mean.  The Hebrew word kabod (3519) generally means copious or glorious.  Many bible exegetes believe that this word is referring to the tongue.

       I have known several musicians whose tongue was not very glorious.  However, I believe that the use of the Hebrew word kabod connotes that the Sweet Psalmist if Israel was pledging to sing praise unto Jehovah Elohim for as long as he was alive.

       The psalmist not only promised to give praise unto Jehovah the self existent eternal God who is  Elohim who is the most high lofty supreme God but he  also promised to give thanks (yadah 3034).  The word yadah means to use or hold out one’s hands in worship reverence.

       Thanksgiving requires remembrance.  It is a good thing for us all to remember what we were like before we became Christians.  Often some of the memories are not very enjoyable.  Most of us were not very nice before the cleansing power of Christ changed us.  No wonder we sing “He changed me completely”!

       Passing from death unto life spiritually is certainly not a joke, it is a reality.  So, with all our glorious singing we remember what god has done for us.  We praise and glorify Jehovah Elohim for who he is and for what He has done in our lives.  We raise our hands in avowal and worship because he is truly a wonderful Savior.

       David promised to keep his tongue singing praise and thanks to God for as long as he lived.  He pledged to use his tongue in a positive way.  For many of us, the tongue is seldom silent during the time we are awake.  Why not practice praising God.  If we use it to sing the high praises of God we will be sure that we are using it in a positive way.

The 21st. Century Music Synthesis-part 2

The 21^st. Century Music Synthesis-part 2

Yesterday we discussed amalgamating music styles into an appropriate *synthesis.   Ingenious isn’t it?  Now when a minister of music inappropriately combines music styles that are inappropriate for use with worship of a high and Holy God, Satan has successfully squeezed church music into the world’s mold.  The result is religious rock music which is the perfect style for them to use to trick the world into becoming lovers of Christ.  Before sinners know it the church will deceive them into becoming Christians.  Of course, synthesis thinkers want them to be saved in their sins, not from their sins, so this autonomous music doesn’t have to preach a life changing relationship with Christ.  Rather, this autonomous non-rational, non-logical, leap of faith will bring a non-rational faith to these new autonomous worldly Christians.  Sounds dangerous, doesn’t it?  The reason it sounds dangerous is that it is the result of synthesis musical thinking. 

*Synthesis-- Combining musical style ideas to form a music system. It is a mixture of traditional Christian and worldly popular styles of music.  This amalgamation is often called contemporary Christian (?) music.

Thought for the Day

          What Christian musicians often fail to realize is that we can trust Satan.  We can trust him to always be Satan.  Furthermore, we can trust him to always try to influence us to pervert church music in such a way that it will no longer be efficacious.  I do not like to ever be negative in any of my writings.  However, It is a fact that Satan is not a friend of grace.  Revelations 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”  Satan is constantly working to deceive Christian musicians because he knows that his time is limited.

The 21st. Century Music Synthesis-part 1

The 21^st. Century Music Synthesis-part 1

Now in the twenty-first century, somewhere between music that is best suited to fit the awesomeness and solemnity of public worship and music that is not suited for Christian worship are styles of music that is now inappropriately appropriate.  Since the answer must be a *synthesis answer, the answer must be taking music that was created to fulfill the lust of the flesh and squeezing this music into a worship mode.  To accomplish this, synthesis thinking Christian musicians have to find a style of music that is basically created anti-Christ, anti-worship (of God), anti-trust, anti-purity, anti-beauty, anti-rest, anti-authority, anti-family, and amalgamate it with the gospel message and when this is accomplished, “presto-chango” they have the perfect worship style.

*Synthesis-- Combining musical style ideas to form a music system. It is a mixture of traditional Christian and worldly popular styles of music.  This amalgamation is often called contemporary Christian (?) music.

Thought for the Day

Leviticus 22:15, “And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD…”  If ancient servants of the LORD in ancient Israel were careful not to profane their offerings to God, it stands to reason that God commands no less of a Christian musician’s musical offerings.

Merely Sounding Brass—part 3

Merely Sounding Brass—part 3  

            The Christian musician must be sure that he or she musics with love for others.  When a very gifted performer stands before a congregation of worshipers, it is easy to center all attention on the performance rather than on ministry.  Some Christian musician performers have a tendency to worship the created thing (music) rather than the creator (God).  Romans 1:25 refers to those, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature (2937) more than the Creator (2936), who is blessed forever. Amen.” Strong’s Concordance states that ktisis (2937) refers to original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, (literally or figuratively).  Strong also states that ktizo (2936) means the one who created.

            So, with this knowledge we deduce that the Bible condemns worshiping music rather than the God who is the creator of music.  A common error of church music performers is worshiping worship.  It is also wrong for the musicer to worship music.  A Christian musician must love the God who created the art form of music rather than the music itself.  Although there is nothing wrong with a Christian performer enjoying performing sacred music, but if the love of music or performance becomes the main thing, it will become an idol rather than a vehicle of praise to God.

 

Song for the Day—They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love by Peter Scholtes

Merely Sounding Brass—part 2

Merely Sounding Brass—part 2 

            There are a host of opinions about what the Greek words echo chalkos (2278 5475) which were translated sounding brass mean. The best explanation that I have found of the Greek words <echeo> <chalkos>, (sounding brass) comes from the writings of Marcus Vitruvius Pollio who lived in the 1st century b. c.  He was a Roman architect, engineer, and author of the celebrated treatise De architectura (On Architecture), a handbook for Roman architects.

            Vitruvius explained that the echo chalkos were tuned acoustic brass or bronze vases that were strategically placed around the Roman out-door theaters.  Each vase was tuned chromatically and when a particular pitch was produced by the human voice, that particular vase would amplify the actor’s voice.  However, these metal sounding vases produced a hollow sound that was not a true representation of the actor’s voice quality.           

          So, when one reads “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity i.e. love that acts, I am become as sounding brass” with the knowledge of what we learned from Vitruvius, we understand that if a person says that he loves his or her neighbor but does not really care for them—this person’s speech is hollow like the sound produced by the Roman hollow sounding vases that amplified sound in the roman theaters.

Song for the Day—I Want To Be Like Jesus by Thomas O. Chisholm

Merely Sounding Brass—part 1

Merely Sounding Brass—part 1

            1 Corinthians 13:1, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”  There are a couple of thoughts that I would like to leave with you today.  The word charity which is used repeatedly in this chapter is translated from the Greek word agape (26). Albert Barnes, in his Commentary on the New Testament gives the following comments: “The words ‘And have not charity’ mean and have not love. This is the proper and usual meaning of the Greek word. The English word charity that is used in many translations of this passage of the New Testament, has, according to how it is used I a great variety of meanings; and some of them cannot be included in the meaning of the word here.”    It is believed by many Bible exegetes that agape connotes love in action or love that acts.

          Those who truly love someone act when they see that person in need.  So, conversely, failing to act is a pretty sure sign that one does not love deeply.  We all know that the just live by faith, but we also know that as James 2:26 teaches, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”  What a Christian musician says matters, but the test of love is action.  

Thought for the Day

Selfishness is one of the main reasons that people do not act in love.  If a person really loves his or her actions will support that claim.

Redemption through His Blood

Redemption through His Blood

 Ephesians 1:7-8, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence…”

               Hebrews 9:22 reminds us, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”   So, there is no doubt that Christ had to die as a sacrifice for our sin.  It is by the unmerited grace of God that we have forgiveness of our sins.  Christian musicians must remember that Titus 3:5 declares it is, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost..” that we have salvation.

               We all have all needed the “washing of regeneration” that is made possible by the “redemption through his blood”.  Romans 3:23-25 attests to this fact, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God…”  Take some time today to be thankful for the unmerited salvation of Christ Jesus that has been made possible for you by his grace.

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Lord for forgiveness of sins and the “renewing of the Holy Ghost”.  You are a wonderful loving Savior.  Thank You for dying on a cruel cross to pay the penalty for my sin.  Lord, I am asking You to help me to never loose the wonder of the gift of salvation.  As I go through this day, help me to sing forth your high praises.  You are worthy of more praise than I am able to give to You.  Give me a thankful heart today.  This I am praying in Your wonderful name.  Amen

Aesthetics in A Christian’s Music Paradigm

Aesthetics in A Christian’s Music Paradigm    

          The Christian musician must become aware of where the aesthetics of music has been placed in his or her musical paradigm.  There are many   aspects of music aesthetics that are important for the Christian musician to consider. However, pin pointing where aesthetics is placed in one’s musical paradigm, and ultimately in that person’s music philosophy, is essential to the establishment of what that musician considers the nature, value and meaning of music to actually be.

          It is often difficult to get a church musician to explain his or her specific beliefs about aesthetics in church music, if that musician does not consider this aspect of music philosophy to even be important.  A musician must be personally convinced of the importance of aesthetic philosophy before that musician will be willing  explore and dialogue about whether or not that musician’s personal music aesthetic is congruent with a Bible based music philosophy.  Since a Christian’s musicing is never autonomous, but always subject to the will of God, every Christian musician must seek to develop a music aesthetic that is congruent with sacred musicing unto a holy God.

Thought for the Day

My brother sold one of my music philosophy books the other day .  The pastor who purchased it said, “When I read your brother’s book I will learn what he says.  Would you also send me a recording of his choir?  When I listen to the recording I will find out what he does—that is what really matters.”

Worship the Creator Not the Created—part 4

Worship the Creator Not the Created—part 4

The worshipper must know the fundamental truths about God and His nature before musical worship can be authentic or real. Furthermore, the worshipper must be living in fellowship and relationship with God before musical worship can be authentic and real. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that “Ye worship ye know not what.” Jesus said in St. John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Paul told the Corinthian church in I Corinthians 14:15b “I will sing with the spirit (4151 pneuma - spirit, Holy Spirit), and I will sing with the understanding (Greek 3563 nous – intellect, i.e. mind either divine or human) also.”  Psalm 47:6-7 states, “Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. ⁷For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” (Hebrew 7919 sakal – to be circumspect, with prudence, skill, wisdom, or intelligence).

If you have an Oxford KJV, look at the center reference and you will see that the Oxford scholars rendered “with understanding” as “every one that hath understanding.” If our praise singing is to be efficacious or effective, it must be done by a congregation of people who have spiritual understanding. What this means in Kentucky Greek is “how can you have ‘spiritual understanding’ if you don’t know God?” Above all else our musicing unto God must be done by a congregation of people who are walking in the light of the truth of their knowledge and understanding of God and His will for their life.

Religious Musicing about “Self”

Religious Musicing about “Self”

Some church musicians have forgotten the admonition in Isaiah 48:1 “Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.”  Furthermore in Isaiah 48:11 God explains that, “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.”  At this time in the history of ancient Israel YHVH’S servants were with their mouths making mention of God but YHVH declared that they were not doing it in righteousness.

I know that I could be accused of eisegesis because these Scriptures in Isaiah say absolutely nothing about music.  However, I believe this Bible example is apropos to Christian musicians in the 21^st century church.  In ancient Israel it is recorded in Isaiah 48:2, “For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.”  Today some musicians call themselves “of the holy city” but their musical actions which exude from their music philosophy have led them to believe that religious musicing is about “self” rather than “for mine own” [God’s] sake. 

Scripture Thought for the Day

Psalm 115:1, “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.”

Righteous Musicians Sing and Rejoice

Righteous Musicians Sing and Rejoice 

Proverbs 29:6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doeth sing and rejoice.

       Are you a Christian musician who has a singing heart instead of merely a musician who sings?  In other words, are you a rejoicing musician?  It is one thing to sing songs about rejoicing and it is entirely another to rejoice when you music unto God. 

       When trouble comes do you proclaim God’s power and love or do you let Satan lead you into depression?  God’s inspired Word teaches us that the righteous sing and rejoice.  It doesn’t say that the righteous sing and rejoice only in the good times, it simply states that if you are righteous you will sing and rejoice.  Ouch! 

       Verse eight of this proverb tells us that the scornful set things on fire, but the righteous “turn away wrath”.  As a righteous musician you have the opportunity to use singing as a means of grace that can actually keep someone from sitting in the seat of the scornful (see Psalm one).  The Bible teaches clearly that there is a difference in what an evil man and a righteous man or woman does.  An evil person is ensnared by his or her sin and the righteous person sings and rejoices in the LORD who is willing and able to deliver the Christian out of life’s troubles.

       If you have been ensnared by some trick of the enemy of your soul, do not give up spiritually.  Tell Jesus that you are sorry and really mean it. I Chronicles 16:10 and Psalm 105:3 both say, “Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.”  Rejoice, because only a person who remains evil has to remain ensnared.  Remember that in John 2:1 there is an admonition to us, “My little children, these things write I unto you that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”  Wow!  Jesus is right now sitting at the right hand of the Father praying for us.  He is praying for us because he cares about us very much.  We know this of a surety because Romans 8:24 states, “Who is he that condemneth?  It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.”  If Jesus is praying for us, and we know that He is from this Scripture, we can make it through all the troubles of life.

Singing To Remember

Singing To Remember

Psalm 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

       Many times in the Book of Psalms we are admonished to “sing unto the LORD”.  As a matter of fact the Hebrew title for the Book of Psalms is the Cepher Tehillim (5612, 8416) which means the Scroll of Praises.  This verse from the Scroll of Praises specifically admonishes those who are “saints of his” to sing unto Jehovah.  It is a good thing for the unregenerate person to sing about God, but this psalm is directed to the redeemed.  This lyric poem is identified in the superscription as a mizmowr shiyr (2167, 7892) which the AV renders a Psalm Song.  These two words actually mean a song set to instrumental music.  So, we justly gather that it is a praise song (poem) set to instrumental music. Furthermore it is a song of thanks and remembrance.

       The poet remembers that the LORD has lifted him up, healed him, brought his soul from the grave, made him to stand strong, as well as other wonderful things.  Although he has many needs, the self-existent, eternal God, who not only was but is alive, has and will deliver him from his troubles.

       Christian musicians, being prone to melancholy, fail to have the attitude of this psalmist.  Because they get depressed they “sing the blues” about their troubles rather than remembering that it is amazing what praising can do for the Christian who is depressed .   Ministering musicians are so intensely involved in their busy little “cloudy world” that they fail to take advantage of the means of grace that will build them up in the “most holy faith”.  These depressed musicians lead others in worship but fail to partake of the divine fruit that is on God’s table.

        The psalmist admonishes these musicians to “Sing unto the Lord”.  He also emphasizes the importance of singing songs of praise that will cause the “saints” to remember of Jehovah’s holiness (quodesh 6944), which means remembering “most holy” things about God.

     Why not stop whining right now, and start singing God’s praises as you call to remembrance all the wonderful things God has done for you.  Surely you, as a musician, know an appropriate praise chorus that is fitting for your situation.  I suggest that you sing out loud so that you can drown out the whispering of Satan.  Remember that you will probably remain depressed if you continue to listen to the wrong voice.

Understanding the Psalms—part 4

Understanding the Psalms—part 4

          The inspired psalms are an interesting, exciting, and quite fascinating collection of ancient Hebrew poetry.  These Hebrew songs are the largest and oldest complete collection of mono-theistic religious poetry and melodies surviving in the world today.  This collection of lyric poetry is studied and respected by saints and scholars throughout the world.  Even those who do not respect the Bible as the inspired word of God, revere this book for the quality of its poetical verse. 

The quality of this Hebrew lyric poetry gives credence to the belief that there was a high level of literary and musical development among the ancient Hebrew culture.  The deciphering of the "Biblical accents" or the te'amim by Suzanne Haik-Vantoura has produced what she believes are the actual melodies of the psalmody of the Bible.  For those who are interested,   Chapter VIII of my book Music of the Bible treats the subject of the deciphering of the te'amim thoroughly.

Thought for the Day

If a Christian musician really revers the Book of Psalms, he or she should sing at least some of them.

Understanding the Psalms—part 3

Understanding the Psalms—part 3

THE BOOK OF PSALMS IS THE SONG BOOK OF THE BIBLE.  We are referring to the Book of Psalms as a "Song Book" instead of a "Hymn Book" since the psalms are not all etymologically considered to be hymns.  Many writers have referred to the Book of Psalms as the "Hymn Book" of the Bible and we take no occasion with such reference to the Book of Psalms.

          The Book of Psalms is not only "our" song book of the Bible, but it was the song book for the religious services of the Second Temple.  Although some of the psalms were sung in the first Temple it was not completed at the time that Solomon's Temple was built.  Since the time that the Old Testament Canon was finished, the Book of Psalms has served as perhaps the greatest Biblical source of materials for hymns, gospel songs, and praise choruses.

Thought for the Day

Every music minister should consider this admonition in 1 Chronicles 16:9, “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.”

Understanding the Psalms—part 2

Understanding the Psalms—part 2

          Since there is so much written on this first book of the Hagiographa, it is difficult to know just what should be included in this work that will be most helpful to ministers of music.  It seems that the first order of business should be to remind church musicians that this book is the "Song Book of the Bible."  This book does not merely contain music, it is all music.  This is an inspired sacred song book, and since its contents are completely religious in nature, the minister of music must have a knowledge of how these poems (songs) are constructed in order to knowledgeably sing these most excellent songs.  It is also important for musicians to understand the content of these songs in order that they may be performed with understanding as I Corinthians 14:15 admonishes.  

Chief singers and chief musicians should be reminded that these songs were not intended to be read but rather sung since this and all Old Testament scripture was intended to be chanted or sung.  Reading these songs never does them justice for this is not a "Talk Book" but rather a "Song Book."  It seems a bit strange that many worship leaders only quote these songs before singing other songs or choruses that are not inspired.  Only quoting these inspired songs briefly before singing a long sequence of praise choruses is somewhat analogous to having five inches of meringue on top of a ½ inch chocolate pie.

Thought for the Day

It might help if a worship leader would make a list of reasons why psalm singing is a valuable worship tool.

Understanding the Psalms—part 1

Understanding the Psalms—part 1

Every worship leader should study the Book of Psalms and also, the significance of music in this great historic collection.  The study of music in the Book of Psalms is an awesome, valuable and very useful  task.  Many of the other aspects of music in the Bible are not well researched by Bible commentators, but the subject of the "Psalms" is a well-worn topic.  There are hundreds of complete volumes devoted to the study of the Book of Psalms. These books range from small paper back volumes on the devotional aspects of the psalms to monumental treatises like William Plumer's Psalms which is 1,212 pages in length.  So, it is not difficult to find valuable information about the Book of Psalms.

          Many of the Bible commentaries on the psalms have valuable introductions that give information on the history, poetry, theology, arrangement, authors, inscriptions, parallelism, figures of speech, inspiration, prophesy, names of God, divisions, collection, and even musical terms in the Book of Psalms.  There are often long discussions concerning the dating, collection, and authenticity of the inscriptions of the various psalms in this ancient collection of poetry.

Thought for the Day

When a worship leader thinks about the history, poetry, theology, arrangement, authors, inscriptions, parallelism, figures of speech, inspiration, prophesy, and names of God that are used in the Psalms, the value of singing psalms knowledgably becomes apparent.

Keeping Religious Musicing Christian—part 3

Keeping Religious Musicing Christian—part 3

          Worship leaders must remember that everyone who attends a worship service brings to the worship experience previous memories and associations.  Therefore, the worship experience is never done in a musically sterile “bubble”.  Some worship leaders use music that has previously been clearly associated with situations that were anti-Christian and are averse to “universal principles” that are congruent with the separated life of a born-again Christian which are taught in the Bible. Some musical art forms are simply not appropriate for the purposes of worship because of the way the formal properties have been arranged.  When the formal properties of a piece of music form a congruent (or incongruent) whole that is not an appropriate concomitant to the awesomeness and solemnity of worshiping a high and holy God and is clearly antagonistic to the purposes of worship, it is not Christian music.  Sometimes, because of the manner in which religious music is performed, it is no longer distinctly Christian because it has been fashioned in a way that makes it not compatible with the purposes of worship. Whether or not a musical composition is a developed quality art form is not the proper criteria for accepting  it as a worship vehicle.

             Because of the understandable meaning that the music part of some religious music being performed today in the context of worship communicates to an audience, it is not a Christian art form. This is true even though it may be considered a “great art form” when evaluated in terms of what the world considers greatness.  When the music part of music is so closely identified to music that is clearly anti-Christian by its construction, enactment, association and its moral implications, it loses its Christian identify.  As a matter of fact, much of the music that is now used in public worship is more antagonist to the principles of the changed life of a Christian taught in the Bible than it is favorable, congruent or identifiable with biblical Christianity.

Thought for the Day

Worship leaders should remember from Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25:21 that the lord said to his servant,  “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  Ministers of music should concentrate on being “good and faithful” rather than on being popular or trendy.

Keeping Religious Musicing Christian—part 2

Keeping Religious Musicing Christian—part 2

             I never advocate musicing in a traditional manner simply for the purpose of proving a point or to be peculiar or old fashioned.  Neither do I ever contend that every way that the world musics is wrong, substandard, or that it must be summarily rejected because it is inappropriate as a vehicle of worship.  Furthermore, I never contend that a Christian musician cannot gain valuable insights about music and musicing from the music of those who do not love and serve God.  I am merely contending that the Christian musician must make wise choices of music and the way that he or she musics.  At the risk of sounding trite, I contend that Christian musicians should be concerned with presenting God musical offerings that are true to the purposes of worship of a holy triune God rather than utilizing worship vehicles that are merely trendy.

             Every music worship leader must be sure that the music being used in worship is, as Tolstoy put it, “Christian art”.  Art forms that the world considers “great art forms” are not always appropriate vehicles for worshiping the blessed Triune God that we love and worship.  Some religious music that may be considered a high art form that is currently being used by Christian musicians may be correctly considered to be religious music, but it is not always sacred music and ipso facto Christian music.  Music, being an art form, communicates the various implications of the composer’s and/or the arranger’s world view.   An arranger and/or performer can super-impose his or her world view over the original composer and librettist’s original worship intent in such a manner as to render that music no longer appropriate for worship.  When this happens, the original intent of the text and/or music part of the music is so eclipsed that it is no longer sacred music but instead it has been rendered merely religious music—there is a difference.

Thought for the Day

 Worship leaders should use traditional church music because it valuable and relevant to 21^st century worship rather than because it is traditional.

Keeping Religious Musicing Christian—part 1

Keeping Religious Musicing Christian—part 1

             Most Christian musicians would consider that sacred music is in fact an art form.  Donald Hodges stated that Leo Tolstoy believed that great art had two qualifiers.  “It must be Christian art that (a) expresses a union of man to God and to on another, or (b) expresses universal feelings of common life accessible to all.”  Hodges quoting Leo Tolstoy in A Concise Survey of Music Philosophy by Donald Hodges, p. 153.  When I recently read Tolstoy’s beliefs about great art I began to think about the fact that religious music used in the context of Christian worship must be Christian in the completeness of its nature.  Also, its value as an acceptable art form to be used in the context of Christian worship should be judged by how well it “expresses a union of man with God”.

              Before we continue this discussion, I want to make it completely clear that I do not believe that high quality art music is the doorway to the kingdom of God or that the ultimate purpose of worship is about great art music or any music genre for that matter.  Furthermore, some simple, straight forward, uncomplicated, and even somewhat predictable sacred music is sometimes the best vehicle of praise and worship at a particular moment in the public worship service.  Never-the-less sacred music is an art from, and for that reason alone, its nature, meaning and value should be partially understood in that light. It should be pointed out that it is believed by Jewish music historians that musicians in ancient Israel did not think of sacred music as an art form but rather a means of becoming closer to JHVH. 

Thought for the Day

Although sacred music is an art form, perhaps conservative Christian worship leaders should concentrate on a  return to the ancient concept of it a means of becoming closer to JHVH. 

I’m a Servant Who Has Been Forgiven

I’m a Servant Who Has Been Forgiven

Ephesians 2:1-9, “And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world… we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:-- but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.” ASV

          The portions of verses one through nine quoted above explain to all Christian musicians who we were and who we now are through God’s love and grace.  We were dead and are now alive because Christ has forgiven us from trespasses and sins.  This has become a reality in our lives because Christ has saved us by His grace.   The phrase” the course (aion 165) of this world (kosmos 2889)” used in verse two makes it clear that we were all bound to the system of this word and therefore were slaves to “doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind”.

          No one is capable of breaking the power of sin without the grace of God being applied to his or heart.  This freedom from being a slave to trespassing against God and is “not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.”  Being made free from the grip of sin is truly a divine work wrot upon the heart ad life of the Christian musician.  From my personal experience I know that I was dead in trespasses and sins and that I only have forgiveness and freedom from the power because of the unmerited favor of Christ Jesus.  Therefore, I do not have anything to brag about when it comes to who I was when Christ found me under the bondage and load of sin.  I have given up the sense of ownership of my life and my musicing because am Christ’s servant and as a servant I have responsibilities rather than rights.

Thought for the Day

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Song for the Day  I believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary by William J. Gaither, Gloria Gaither and Dale Oldham

How Should We Then Worship? Part 5

How Should We Then Worship? Part 5

(Please read 2 Chronicles 29:26-30 again.)

Although it is not popular to consider postures of worship, these ancient Hebrews worshiped in a humble reverent manner.  We know this to be true from 2 Chronicles 29:29, “And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.”  We know from 2Chronicles 29:30 that the Levite musicians “…sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped…”  The Bible lessons here are clear. The king, priests and the Levite musicians all positioned themselves before God in humility.  Also of note is the musicians sang praises to God and furthermore, they presented their musical offerings to YAHV with gladness (simchah 8057) i.e. with exceeding joy and mirth.  The musicing of the Levite musicians was more than a performance it was heart-felt worship. 

So, it is clear from this example of worship in the ancient Jewish Temple that those who administer and execute public need to be careful of their attitudes during the public worship experience—leading public worship must be much more than an occupation. There is much disagreement among Bible exegetes about the meaning of 2 Timothy 2:6, “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.” However, perhaps its spiritual meaning may be understood more clearly after studying this old Testament account of public worship.  After leading public worship for many years, I am very aware that a worship leader cannot feed others spiritually for a long period of time unless he or she is consistent partaker of the divine fruits.

How Should We Then Worship? Part 4

How Should We Then Worship? Part 4 

(Please read 2 Chronicles 29:26-30 again.)

When the priests signaled, the instrumentalists played the melodies provided for all OT Scripture and have been meticulously preserved for us through the te’amim below and above the entire OT texts.  (See Music of the Bible chapter eight.)  While these melodies were played by the Levite musicians, the singers sang the songs of the LORD.  As a result of these high praises, 2 Chronicles 29:28 explains that  “…all the congregation worshipped…”  We do not know which Scriptures the Levite musicians Sang, but they most certainly sang “the songs of the Lord”.  We do know that some of the music was the Davidic Psalms and Psalms written by Asaph.  We know with great certainty that these Levite musicians were “instructed in the songs of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 25:7).  So, it stands to reason that they did not sing the secular toons of Israel’s neighbors.

The fact that everyone worshiped while they sang and played the Word of YHVH should not surprise us since God has declared, in Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”  Mark 13:31, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”  You will notice that I said that everyone worshiped.  Not only the people worshiped but as 2 Chronicles 29:29 states, “And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.”  Truly this example of worship in ancient Israel was corporate worship where music was used as a concomitant to the worship experience.