Aesthetics and “Joyful Noise”-part 1

 

Aesthetics and “Joyful Noise”-part 1

          We have discussed the development of a Christian music

aesthetic. We have also discussed a noise-based music aesthetic and

translations that have mistakenly translated ruwa as joyful noise. As

we mentioned earlier, the actual Hebrew word used in all of the texts

mentioned that have been translated joyful noise is the word ruwa

(7321) which meant to shout with joy. The NIV justly translates Psalm

66:1-2 as follows: “Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory

of his name; make his praise glorious!” It also translates 81:1 as “sing

for joy”; 95:1, “come sing for joy”; 95:2, “extol him with music and

song”; 98:4, “shout for joy”; 98:6, “shout for joy”; and 100:1, “shout

for joy.”

          Some Christian musicians declare that these verses command

Christian musicians to perform religious music with noise. There

are no biblical imperatives for musicians to include noise in musical

offerings to God. There is nothing in the Bible record that encourages

Christians to include noise in musical worship to God.  The use of beauty

in the arts in worship serves the purpose of creating atmospheres and

preparatory moods for the corporate worship experiences.