https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evhAB5bmZMw
I. A Historical Point of View
A. The past must be learned from and appreciated
Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
1. Worship wars are not new
-Socrates (380-450) Constantinopolitan lawyer and historian
The Arians, as we have said, held their meetings without the city. As often therefore as the festal days occurred--I mean Saturday and the Lord’s day--in each week, on which assemblies are usually held in the churches, they congregated within the city gates about the public squares, and sang responsive verses adapted to the Arian heresy.[...] But since they did not desist from making use of insulting expressions in relation to the Homoousians, often singing such words as these: “Where are they that say three things are but one power?”--John fearing lest any of the more simple should be drawn away from the church by such kind of hymns opposed to them some of his own people, that they also employing themselves in chanting nocturnal hymns, might obscure the effort of the Arians, and confirm his own party in the profession of their faith. John’s design seemed to be good, but it issued tumult and dangers. [...] the Arians who were very numerous, and fired with envy, resolved to revenge themselves by a desperate and riotous attack upon their rivals. For from the remembrance of their own recent domination, they were full of confidence in their ability to overcome, and of contempt for their adversaries. Without delay therefore, on one of these nights, they engaged in a conflict; and Briso, one of the eunuchs of the empress, who was at that time leading the chanters of these hymns, was wounded by a stone in the forehead, and also some of the people on both sides were killed.
-Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
A letter to Benjamin Colman 1744
REV’D & Honoured Sir,--It has been our manner in this congregation, for more than two years past, in the summer time, when we sing three times upon the Sabbath, to sing an Hymn, or part of a Hymn of Dr. Watts’s, the last time, at the conclusion of the afternoon exercise. I introduced it principally because I saw in the people a very general inclination to it: indeed I was not properly he that introduced it: they began it in my absence on a journey; and seem’d to be greatly pleased with it; and sang nothing else, & neglected the Psalms wholly. When I came home I disliked not their making some use of the Hymns: but did not like their setting aside the Psalms; and therefore used them principally, and continued the singing of the Hymns only in the manner that I have spoken of, and thus we continued to use them: which at first I suppose, was to universal satisfaction: and [so] it continued to be till very lately, excepting one [m]an, one Mr Root; he after a little while manifest[ing] a disgust, not by coming to me to say anything [to] me, but by turning his back on that part of [our] publick worship from time to time, and [going] out of the meeting House. There was no appearance of dislike in any other person that I know of, ‘till lately I have heard some other persons have appear’d not well pleased[.]
2. It is unfair to authors of the past to say that their writing can’t reflect the situations we find ourselves in.
Malachi 3:6
“For I the Lord do not change”
William Cowper (1731-1800)
B. History of Church Music
1. Psalm Singing
Psalm 23 -Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
2. Latin Hymnody
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Formula Missae et Communionis (1523)
Also, I wish we had more songs in the vernacular for the people to sing during mass, either immediately after the gradual of the Sanctus and Agnus Dei. For who doubts that once the voices of all the people did this, which now only the choir sings or responds to the blessings of the bishop? In fact, the bishops may arrange these songs thus, either after the Latin songs, or alternately in Latin on one day and sung in the vernacular on another, until the whole mass is brought out in the vernacular. But poets are missing among us, or are not yet known, who can produce devout and spiritual songs (as Paul calls them) [Colossians 3:16] [.]
3. Return to Psalmody
John Calvin (1509-1564)
Simplicity- accessible to the laypeople
Modesty- something offered to God
“Epistle to the Reader” from Cinquante Pseaumes en francois par Clem. Marot (1543)
As for public prayers, there are two kinds. Some are made through simple words, others with singing. And in truth, we know through experience that song has great power and strength to move and inflame the heart of men to invoke and praise God with a more vehement and ardent zeal. It is always necessary to give heed that the song may not be light and vulgar, but may have majesty, as Saint Augustine says. And thus there may be great difference between the music that one makes for entertaining men at table and in their house, and the psalms which are sung in the Church in the presence of God and his angels. Now when one would judge rightly of the form that is here presented we hope that it shall be found holy and pure, seeing that it is simply ordered for the edification of which we have spoken, no matter how far the use of singing extends itself. Even in houses and fields this may be an incentive to us and a means to praise God and raise our hearts to Him, to comfort us in meditating on His virtue, goodness, wisdom and justice. [...] But in speaking now of Music I include two parts, namely the letter or subject and substance, secondly the song or melody. It is true that every evil word (as Saint Paul says) corrupts good morals, but when melody is with it, this stabs the heart much more strongly and enters within. Just as wine is poured inside a vessel through a funnel, so poison and corruption is distilled down to the depths of the heart through the melody.
Now what St. Augustine says is true, that no one can sing things worthy of God, except what he may have received from Him: when we shall have moved all around to search here and there, we shall find no better nor more proper songs to do this than the Psalms of David, which the Holy Spirit has spoken and made through him.
Congregational Singing is NOT Performance
4. Return to Songs of Human Composure
a. Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Preface to Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707)
To see the dull Indifference, the negligent and thoughtless Air that sits upon the Faces of a whole Assemble, while the Psalm is on their Lips, might tempt even a charitable Observer to suspect the Fervency of inward Religion; and ‘tis much to be fear[e]d that the Minds of most of the Worshippers are absent or unconcern[e]d. [...] But of all our Religious Solemnities Psalmodie is the most unhappily manag[e]d. That very Action which should elevate us to the most delightful and divine Sensations, doth not only flat our Devotion, but too often awakens our Regret and touches all the Springs of Uneasiness within us.
I have been long convinc[e]d, that one great Occasion of this Evil arises from the Matter and Words to which we confine all our Songs. Some of [th]em are almost opposite to the Spirit of the Gospel: Many off them are foreign to the State of the New-Testament, and widely different from the present Circumstances of Christians. Hence it comes to pass, that when spiritual Affections are excited within us, and our Souls are raised a little above this Earth in the beginning of a Psalm, we are check[e]d on a sudden in our Ascent toward Heaven by some Expressions that are more suited to the Days of Carnal Ordinances, [...] Thus by keeping too close to David in the House of God, the Vail of Moses is thrown over our Hearts. [...]
Since there are some Christians who are not yet perswaded that it is lawful to sing any thing in Divine Worship, but a meer Version of some part of the Word of God, I have subjoyned a Discourse for the satisfaction of their Consciences; wherein I indeavour to prove, that the Duty of Singing under the Gospel is not confin[e]d to the Jewish Psalms, or any other Scriptural Songs; but that Hymns of human Composure suited to the clearer Revelations of the New Testament are incouraged by the Word of God, and almost necessary for Christian Churches, that desire to worship Christ in the Beauty of Holiness, and praise him for the Wonders of redeeming Grace.
b. John Wesley (1703-1791)
“Directions for Congregational Singing” from Sacred Melody (1761)
This part of divine worship may be more acceptable to God, as well as more profitable to yourself and others, be careful to observe the following directions: ―
1. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find a blessing.
2. Sing lustily, and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.
3. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above, or distinct from, the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
4. Sing in time. Whatever time is being sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before, nor stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can. And take care you sing not too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
5. Above all, sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to this, attend strictly to the sense of what you sing; and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
Don’t be Carried Away with the Music
Huldreich Zwingli (1484-1531) went so far as to ban music in his churches. Music has a powerful effect on the soul.
II. Scripture
A. Colossians 3:14-17
Above all: Love
Be Thankful
Teach and Admonish
It Must be Based in Christ’s Word
It Must be in Christ’s Name
ψαλμός (Psalms) The Songs of the Old Testament
ὕμνος (Hymns) A Song of Praise to God
Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
From Ennarationes in psalmos, Psalm 72
Hymns are praises of God with singing: hymns are songs containing the praise of God. If there is praise, but not of God, it is not a hymn; if there is praise, and praise of God, but no singing, it is not a hymn. Therefore, if it is a hymn, it will properly have these three things: not only praise, but of God, and singing.
πνευματικός (Spiritual) Coming from the Holy Spirit
ᾠδή (Songs) A Song of Honor
B. 1 Corinthians 14:13-19
Thankfulness
Head & Heart
Alistar Begg (1952)
C. Psalm 98
Worship Because of What He’s Done
Worship with Many Instruments
Rejoice!
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