The Place for Music in Worship

- Music Supercedes the Word

“Music speaks to me better than words can.”

- Music undermines the Word

I am inclined — though I pronounce no irrevocable opinion on the subject — to approve of the use of singing in the church, so that by the delights of the ear the weaker minds may be stimulated to a devotional mood. Yet when it happens that I am more moved by the singing than by what is sung, I confess myself to have sinned wickedly, and then I would rather not have heard the singing. (Augustine, Confessions, XXXIII.50)

- Music & the Word are meant to be harmonious.

God Himself wants them to be together

Psalm 147:1 ESV

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

Why Sing

1. Commanded

Psalm 96:1–2 ESV

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

Psalm 47:6 ESV

Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

400 references to singing in the Bible, 50 direct commands to sing

2. Modeled for Us.

In the Trinity

God (Zeph. 3:17)

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Jesus (Matt. 26:30)

Matthew 26:30 ESV

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-19)

Ephesians 5:18–19 ESV

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

By the apostles and early church

Acts 16:25 ESV

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

The Heavenly Host

Revelation 5:8–10 ESV

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

3. It is proof of our living by the Spirit and love of God’s Word in truth

Colossians 3:16 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

The book of Psalms is the collection of songs written under the direction of the Holy Spirit (Mark 12:36; 2 Peter 1:21) by ancient Jewish leaders such as David, Moses, and Solomon. These inspired songs were part of the Hebrew Scriptures and used in corporate worship. The word psalm means “praise.” Although many of the psalms are cries for help, laments over Israel, or questions about God’s plan, the major theme in all of them is worship. Even when the psalmist was crying out his questions or frustrations to the Lord, he usually ended with a call to praise God in spite of everything (Psalm 42:11; 43:5; 71:13–14). The psalms have a timeless quality and are as relevant to our lives as though they were written yesterday. Many people find great comfort in reading or praying the psalms when they have difficulty finding adequate words to express their hearts to God. We can encourage, challenge, and extend comfort to ourselves and others by memorizing and sharing a psalm. Many of our modern worship songs are based on the psalms, and when we sing them, we are singing God’s Word. A hymn is a song that gives praise, honor, or thanksgiving to God. Unlike psalms, hymns are not written by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are not considered part of Scripture. However, the best ones often incorporate portions of Scripture and are filled with rich doctrinal truth. Hymns are often metrical poems arranged to be sung corporately. Even in Jesus’ day, hymns were part of Jewish worship. After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn (Matthew 26:30). The term spiritual songs is more general. Believers are to express their faith in song—but not just any song; Scripture indicates the songs of believers must be “spiritual.” That is, the songs of the church deal with spiritual themes. They might not directly praise God, but they will teach a doctrine, encourage the body, or prompt others toward love and good works. A spiritual song might express the joy of one’s salvation, revel in the grace of Christ, or exalt the greatness and power of God—in short, a spiritual song can communicate a wide variety of sacred themes.

4. Remember Words-

Scientists are beginning to understand that our minds are hardwired to recognize, categorize, and remember patterns in music better than we remember patterns in words alone.

How children learn ABC’s and other elementary stuff

ex.... of my grandpa

Deuteronomy 31:21 ESV

And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.”

So it’s not that we simply sing but also a matter of what we sing...

“Show me a church’s song and I’ll show you their theology.

John & Charles wrote over 6500 hymns that covered all major doctrines that they taught. Never to replace teaching but to cement teaching & further instruct preaching in their church through it.

If the teaching in our church was limited to the songs that we sing, how well taught would we be? How well would we know God? Not just teach whole counsel of God but sing it as well.

5. Can help us engage emotionally with words.

-Music is a language of emotion… -Music is capable of moving us in subtle and profound ways

Movie illustrations without song… Rocky

Hymns work the same way… Amazing Grace, It is well… speak it instead of sing it

David played- Saul was calmed

Jesus mentioned what music should do

Pauls says singing “truly" comes from a heart of joy and thankfulness

The danger is not emotion but emotionalism. When pursuing feelings is the ultimate end/goal… emotions should be evoked by the truth we are singing about God, his glory, greatness, goodness, mercy, etc.

Passionless singing is an oxymoron.

So therefore we should...

Psalm 40:3 ESV

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

6. Can help us use words to demonstrate and express unity...

concerts, michigan fight song, star-spangled banner, happy birthday.... binds us together