Music Series - Intro

Purpose: To help us consider the fashion(P), features(Practice), and function(Purpose) of music in the Bible and to recognize how blessed it is to Sing.

Hymns carry with them more of the power of God than we often credit them with holding. They have more utility for our everyday lives than we often recognize and for some music is merely entertainment or art void of any real practical substance. Some withdraw thinking that music and singing is best suited only for those who have a natural affinity or or talent for it, but this line of thinking severely restricts us receiving the many blessings that God intended music to bring to our relationship and daily walk with him.

Hymns are not scripture. But good hymns align perfectly with scripture.

Focus on the Function

Psalm 105:2 KJV 1900

2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: Talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Psalm 95:1 KJV 1900

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Psalm 100:1–5 KJV 1900

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth to all generations.

Function 1: Songs that Praise!

Biblical Examples

Psalm 150:1 KJV 1900

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of his power.

Exodus 15 KJV 1900

1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength and song, And he is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; My father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5 The depths have covered them: They sank into the bottom as a stone. 6 Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: Thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, The floods stood upright as an heap, And the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: They sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, The earth swallowed them. 13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: Sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; The mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; All the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; By the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; Till thy people pass over, O Lord, Till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. 17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, In the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, In the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. 18 The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. 19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. 27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

In Practice:

-During the Services

-Listen to good Godly music and sing praises to the Lord in your own time. If you haven’t added singing to the Lord as part of your walk with him I would encourage you to do so. Praise Him!

-Have a song everyday

i. Sing it in the morning.

ii. Sing it throughout the day

Ephesians 5:19

2. Songs of Teaching

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

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.

Biblical Example

2 Samuel 1:17–18 KJV 1900

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

In Practice:

Scripture Songs Psalm 40:3, Children’s Songs (Jesus Loves Me), Hymns (For I know whom I have believed In 2 Timothy 1:12)

Proverbs 11:30–31 KJV 1900

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise. 31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: Much more the wicked and the sinner.

3. Seek to understand the Words

i. Many people pass over many of the Biblical truths that good Godly music attempts to teach or repeat to us.

Do you know what “Stayed up on Jehovah” “I Want That Mountain” “Here I Raise My Ebenezer” “Second Adam From Above” “Look and Live”

3. Songs of Thanks

Biblical Example

Psalm 71:23 KJV 1900

23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; And my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

James 5:13 KJV 1900

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

David appointed Levites to minister before the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem and at the tabernacle in Gibeon and to sing a song of Thanks. 1 Chronicles 6:31-49

Mary Visits Elizabeth and Mary sings a song of Thanks and Praise Luke 1:39

In Practice

Sing your prayers

Pains, hurts, and needs

. Thanks

Praise

2. Learn songs of Thanks!

I SING BECAUSE Squire Parsons I’ve been singing about my Lord for so many years I’ve sung when I’ve been happy; I've sung when I’ve had tears Some folks have even asked me if it’s all been just a show But the reason that I’m singing–I want the world to know Chorus

I sing because there is an empty grave I sing because there is a power to save I sing because His grace is real to me I sing because I know I’m not alone I sing because someday I’m going home Where I shall sing through all eternity

So Much To Thank Him For

Writer: Robert Deel

Verse 1

When I look around and see

The good things He does for me

I know I’m unworthy of them all

And His blessings He freely gives

I owe my life to Him

I’ve got so much to thank Him for

Chorus

We’ll I’ve got so much to thank Him for

So much to praise Him for

You see, He has been so good to me

When I think of what He’s done

And where He’s brought me from

I’ve got so much to thank Him for

Songs of Lament

1/3 of the Psalms are songs of Lament. There are many instance in the scripture of people crying out to God in Anguish, Distress, Hopelessness, Frustration, etc. Yet they often turn to praise in rejoicing as the mind of the writer is taken from the circumstances that plague them to the Lord that holds them.

Psalm 44:22–26 KJV 1900

22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; We are counted as sheep for the slaughter. 23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise, cast us not off for ever. 24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And forgettest our affliction and our oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: Our belly cleaveth unto the earth. 26 Arise for our help, And redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV 1900

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Proverbs 25:20 KJV 1900

20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, And as vinegar upon nitre, So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

5. Foolish Songs

Ecclesiastes 7:5 KJV 1900

5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Tact should be employed in ministering through music to others.

Proverbs 25:20 KJV 1900

20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, And as vinegar upon nitre, So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

Have Thine Own Way Lord

A great hymn of surrender. The Hymn was written by Adelaide Pollard in 1902, and is based on the parable of the potter contained in Jeremiah 18.

Jeremiah 18:3–6 KJV 1900

3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Abelaide hoped to go on the mission field for the Lord but was unsuccessful in making it to the mission field. She ultimately couldn’t raise the support she needed. Through her discouragement she penned the familiar lyrics for “Have Thine Own Way Lord” acknowledging that despite her plans being for the Lord, they weren’t the Lord’s plans. God’s plans were different. She struggled greatly with this truth in her heart but ultimately yielded herself to God. She decided to trust that He could still use her and have His way with her life. She surrendered to serve wherever He chose to use her.

Her dreams were not fulfilled, but she acknowledged that it was the Lord’s plan which was most to be desired.

READ THE HYMN

1 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.

2 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Search me and try me, Savior today! Wash me just now, Lord, as in thy presence humbly I bow.

Psalm 139:23–24 KJV 1900

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Nehemiah 9:6 KJV 1900

6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

3 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me I pray! Power, all power, surely is thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

4 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!

We often sing this song with blinders. Of course we want God to have his way with Our Life, but do we really want to be molded and shaped in the way he wants us to live, as if it is His life.

In our instant gratification, just follow your heart, or you do you world, do we really want God’s way. Or do we want it to fit with our way.

Psalm 51:17 KJV 1900

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

The sacrifices that are pleasing to God are a broken spirit. Be Humble.