I have previously written about the use of choruses during worship services, but most of what I have addressed have been those with vacuous or insipid lyrics. Today I’m addressing some with acceptable lyrics, but which are examples of repetition for encouraging emotionalism. What I have discovered is that, when all is said and done, musically they begin to all sound alike (and the writers seem to lack any imagination or real talent).
He is high and exalted and worthy of praise
With the hearts we will love and adore
He is high and exalted and worthy of praise
Holy is the lord
(repeat)
Holy, holy, holy is the lord
Holy, holy, holy is the lord
He is high and exalted and worthy of praise
With the hearts we will love and adore
He is high and exalted and worthy of praise
Holy is the lord
Holy, holy, holy is the lord
Holy, holy, holy is the lord
He is high and exalted and worthy of praise
With the hearts we will love and adore
He is high and exalted and worthy of praise
Holy is the lord
Holy is the lord
Holy is the lord
(repeat)
We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He
And together we sing
[Chorus]
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He
And together we sing
Everyone sing
[Chorus]
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
Repeat
And together we sing,
Everyone sing
[Chorus]
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.
While I doubt that it will ever happen, I do think it is time for the Church to get back to real hymns — songs that teach about the faith. When tribulations come, feel-good emotionalism won’t help the saints to stand firm.
10 comments:
Wise words spoken, brother. I agree, even some of the modern choruses from Sovereign Grace (very popular these days) often lack the substance of the old hymns. You are very correct that music is didactic. It is a sermon, set to a tune.
I also can't help but wonder if todays "musicians" lack genuine talent. It certainly seems so.
-Carolyn
"...While I doubt that it will ever happen..."
That is so sad! There is so much sound doctrine to be learned in the great hymns and virtually none in the "modern" choruses.
While I have no issues with songs that repeat (remember Handel's "Messiah"), there is a huge difference in creativity between Handel, the hymns and the empty, shallow choruses of today.
2 Corinthians admonishes us to seek the meat, and grow past the milk.
Glenn,
Have you ever heard about or read the book "Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns"? I listened to an interview with the book's author on Janet Mefferd. He makes an interesting case for the strong influence of pop culture as a primary influence in the watering down of worship music.
-Carolyn
Carolyn,
I've heard much about the book, read many excerpts in various places, but never got around to buying it!
Tribulation coming.??. Glenn, you MUST be kidding. The Rapture gonna take us out of here don't ya know.!!.
Great post. Thanks..!!..!
Ali,
Even if one believes in a pre-trib rapture (I'm a post-tribber), there will be tribulations and persecutions before the final 7 years, and I think these times coming will weed out all sorts of false Christians.
I do not believe in rapture theology for it was never taught in the early church.......and as we have seen over the centuries, the martyrdom of true saints in Jesus Christ. They were not raptured, but were taught to endure in their faith, even unto death, by the only One Who Saves, Jesus, by the power of God, the Holy Spirit.
Rapture, no.
Enduring to the end, yes, only through our King, Jesus.
Anonymous,
I never said anything about the rapture. However, you are in error. If you read the writings of the ante-Nicene "fathers," they believed in the same "rapture" as taught in the New Testament - at the end of the great tribulation and just before the beginning of the thousand-year reign of Christ.
I think Scripture clearly shows that the last generation of the church will see the anti-christ. That said, I wonder if some of these songs the church now uses are odes to the anti-christ. So many have a generic "god", use slang, chants/mantras (7-11 songs and worse), carnal love (girlfriend/boyfriend-type love songs) not to mention the enchanting, overpowering music behind the words. I hope I'm way off but fear I am not :(
I think they can very well be used as odes to the anti-christ. That's the "good" part about generic - they can apply to any god.
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