The Edifier
West Allen Church of Christ
Our Song Services
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the spirit. Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord," (Eph 5:18-19)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col 3:16)
"What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit and the understanding, and I will also sing with the spirit and with the understanding." (1 Cor 14:15)
The above-cited passages not only give us authority for the kind of music that we are to have in our worship assemblies, but also the manner in which such music is to be conducted. As to kind; psalms, hymns and spiritual songs this naturally will eliminate some other kinds of songs such as patriotic or romantic, etc Let us consider three areas of concern. The songs we sing need to be:
Scriptural in Content
We need to be conscious of the message being conveyed in the songs we sing. Songs that would convey a false idea would be no more appropriate than a sermon that conveyed a false idea. If the thought of the song agrees with Scripture fine.
Sung with Sincerity of Heart
The third cited passage above tells us that we should understand what we are singing. If we do not understand the message, then we should not be singing. Ask yourself if you know what it means to "raise my Ebenezer" in song # 420. Ask yourself if you know what "the nameless dread" is in song # 322.
Spiritually Uplifting as We "Admonish One Another"
Too many times, we just follow the song leader without regarding the content of the songs it becomes rote to us. Anything done unconsciously in worship is not ‘worshipping in spirit and in truth’. We should know WHAT we are doing and WHY we are doing it! Sometimes it would seem that we try to put more emphasis on the technical aspect of the song we have to get the song "just right". With all the varied individual talents in the congregation, it would be nigh on to impossible to get all things "just right".
Now let us consider how singing should be employed in the assembly. It is desirous that whenever song leaders make their selections, that such selections should go hand-in-hand with the sermon topic. I understand this is not always possible, but with the manner in which song leaders are scheduled, it would be a simple task for the leader to inquire of the preacher’s subject matter before making the selections. The effectiveness of a well-planned sermon would be enhanced if the right song selections were made. Also, the enthusiasm and the urgency expressed in the invitation plea is left wanting if the song leader must walk from the back of the auditorium to the front before starting the song. It would be helpful indeed if song leaders would position themselves a little closer to the front. (A suggestion only; not a requirement.)
Let us think on these things when we come together to worship God and to admonish and encourage each other. We can be pleasing to the Lord even if we do not get the right pitch, sing off-key, sing the right melody – although, it would be proper to restart the song right if need be. Let God be the judge of our talents and hearts.