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THE MUSICAL WORSHIP OF GOD
Why has the musical worship of God changed so much over the last 50 years? Why do so many churches predominantly sing contemporary songs and overlook the classic hymns? Is worship style culturally determined or are there biblical standards for the worship of God? Why do we worship God musically at all?
The Bible is our source for Truth, so let us look to the Scriptures for the answers to these questions.
The classic hymns are distinctly different from most contemporary worship songs. They are full of deep doctrinal Truths and statements about God’s greatness. They have many verses, yet rarely repeat phrases over and over. In contrast, modern songs tend to be on the light side.
In some of David's Psalms he spoke about himself and his feelings, but most of the time he focused on God. Unfortunately, the vast majority of modern worship music is about our feelings and experiences. It seems that modern Christianity is expressing the narcissism of the age. Consequently, church music reflects a self-oriented bent. We sing about what we think about. If we are happy to have Geico Insurance we will tell everyone. If we are freshly in love we won’t stop talking about the one we love. If we adore God we won’t be able to shut up about Him. If we are in love with ourselves we will compulsively sing about ourselves. We verbalize those things that are biggest in our lives. Jesus affirmed this when he said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Mat 12:34).
A simple study of the Psalms reveals that when David expressed himself musically, he sang mostly about God’s Plans, His Accomplishments, His Purposes, and His Attributes (PAPA). When I train worship leaders how to select or write music, I teach them to choose songs that are full of God. I teach them to examine a song and count the number of doctrines or references to God’s plans, accomplishments, purposes, or attributes. If a song does not reference doctrinal Truths or does not describe God in His greatness I recommend that it be eliminated or moved to low priority. After all, seeing God is what builds our faith – dwelling on ourselves and our feelings about God does not.
The husband/wife relationship is a good illustration of our relationship with God. Sometimes a man whispers sweet nothings in his wife’s ear. She enjoys hearing that she is loved, but most women would prefer to hear WHY her husband loves her -- things like, “You’re such an attentive mother...You are so creative... You are so beautiful...You have changed my life” etc. Because we are so blessed by God it will be natural and right to sing about how He makes us feel. However, if we have a huge view of God and what makes Him great, we will do like David and sing mostly about His plans, accomplishments, purposes, or attributes.
Unfortunately, many today think worship is more about us than God. They think the goal of singing is to get an emotional rush, and therefore evaluate the success of a worship time based on whether or not they are emotionally stirred. When feeling a rush, they say things like, “Worship was GREAT this morning!” or if left unenthused, they pine, “Worship was kind of dry today.” Since the goal of so many worship leaders is to foster heightened emotional feelings, they often select songs that stir the emotions or they may incessantly repeat shallow phrases (or sometimes deep). The biblical purpose of musical worship is to literally glorify God and to encourage one another with Truth. The fruit of such God-centered worship will be long lasting edification to the new nature, while the fruit of man-centered worship will be a temporary lift to the emotions.
The following are my notes for a sermon I once preached. It is my hopes that they will give you a solid understanding of what the Bible teaches about the musical worship of God.
I. Why do we worship God with singing?
A. We are compelled by admonishment Eph 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (NKJV)
Jam 5:13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
Worship is an act of obedience.
B. We are compelled by example Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Rev 5:12-13 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"
Eph 5:14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
II. What form will our musical worship of God take? Eph 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
A. Psalms psalmos, psal-mos'; from the word psallo (to twang); a set piece of music, a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument); one of the book of the Psalms
B. Hymns humnos, hoom'-nos; from the word hudeo (to celebrate); sacred song; a religious metrical composition
C. Spiritual songs pneumatikos, pnyoo-mat-ik-os'; non-carnal, religious
oide, o-day'; from aido (to sing); any chant or "ode" (any words sung); spontaneously generated melody
III. What are the purposes for singing?
A. Songs are prayers of adoration sung to God
Eph 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Rom 15:9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name." … 11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Rev 5:12-13 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"
The Fruit: God is given praise due Him
B. Songs about God are sung to one another to encourage faith
Eph 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Heb 2:12 He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."
The Fruit: We are strengthened in our faith
C. Songs are learned and sung to remind us of God's deeds and decrees
Rev 15:2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Ex 15:1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
Deu 31:22 So Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites. 23 The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you." … 30 And Moses recited the words of this song from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel:
Deu 32:44 Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. 45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The Fruit: We have truths about God easily accessible
D. Songs are expressions of celebration and gratitude
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Jam 5:13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
Psa 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Ps 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.
Psa 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
The Fruit: Thanks due God is given Him and our eyes are taken off ourselves
E. Songs are sung to bring encouragement at times of distress
Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Psa 57:4 I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts -- men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. 6 They spread a net for my feet-- I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path-- but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah 7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. 8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
The Fruit: We find encouragement
F. The biblical purpose for singing is not …
1. to make us feel God
2. to stir up God's presence
IV. How do we worship God in spirit and in truth? John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
A. To worship in spirit is worship with one's heart.
If our hearts are not full …
1. Obey God and choose to worship Him anyway 1 Tim 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Psa 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
2. Pray that the Holy Spirit fills you Eph 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
B. To worship in truth is to worship God for what is true and praiseworthy
Plans, Accomplishments, Purposes, Attributes
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