Songs are deeply ingrained in our christian faith. It is almost impossible to separate the two.
The first song recorded in the Bible was that of Moses when he led the Israelites to cross the red sea, a perfect climax to a miraculous experience.
The last recorded song in the Bible in Revelation 15 is also called the song of Moses and the Lamb.
Coincidence? I don't know
Littered throughout the Bible and saturated in Psalms are songs for different purposes.
They have become major avenues for worshipping God.
Songs are usually a response to something. A reaction,
To God's person, holinness and transcendence.
To His unfailing love and mercy.
To His goodness.
To the pain life brings and the reassurance God gives.
Moses sang to celebrate the Lord's goodness. Mary sang to thank God for showing her favour. David was all over the place; writing countless psalms to praise, vent or ask for help.
In current times, it seems we've changed the heirarchy. God's person has been sandwiched between our personal feelings in music. Our emotions become the focus of worship.
When songs have the capacity to make you emotional but are not doctrinally sound, they've lost their value.
In a way we tend to make it more about ourselves and less about the One we claim to be singing to. Tears are shed or dances performed but the saint leaves the gathering moved by lyrics that have no biblical import and beats that only increases dopamine.
This is not to say we should not be moved emotionally as we worship in songs. There is a place for that.
We all go through good times and bad times. If we look back on our lives, there has been moments of joy that makes songs of thanksgiving relatable, there have also been moments of sorrow that makes the songs about God's love and peace an anchor for us. Hence, we tend to "relate" more to some songs than others because they speak to a particular experience.
But you see those songs about God's person; holiness, transcendence, justice, infiniteness, attributes that are usually incomprehensible to the un-meditated mind. It is more difficult for us to "relate" so our reactions to them are muted and less expressive.
Hence it is easier for "Jesus Iye" to be a crowd favourite that for "Wonderful Wonder" both by Nathaniel Bassey because one is more "relatable" than the other.
The Apostle Paul encourages us in two different places to "sing psalms,hymns and spiritual songs".
First to the Ephesians in Ephesians 5:18-19 CSB
[18] And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: [19] speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord
Here, we realize that songs are a method of communication between believers. It is only when we are filled with the Spirit that we can speak to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Then to the Colossians, he said,
Colossians 3:16 CSB
[16] Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
In short, songs are doctrine in musical form. We are to be taught and admonished through music.
We'll all have our preferences, yes. But don't cherry pick when it comes to worshipping God. Thank Him for the good He did and the good He is. Sit with the hymns old and new and watch as they teach us about God. Worship in songs is not about you, it is about Him and Him alone.
This is a call to love. A call to authentic worship borne out of genuine love to the one we serve. That we use songs as avenues to teach and admonish one another.
That we when take out the trendy beat, the moving instrumentals, we would not be left with a humanistic ideal or a shadow of selfish appetites. That the Lord will be pleased with His lovers singing songs and making melodies to Him.
If you're looking for where to begin, here's a the link to a YouTube playlist I created, please check it out.
Comments