Music. Singing. Melody. All part of the song that treats us to a story, poem or message. Although through the years we see the genre, style, and beat of songs change, we continually utilize the vehicle of music to communicate a truth or story.
Some styles speak to me because of who I am, how I grew up, and what was normal for my young life.
Other styles and genres never grabbed me. Too noisy, boisterous, or silly. Or impossible to sing without the music playing in the background. Or, in its entirety, it is simply discordant.
The songs that speak volumes to me have an “easy listening” style and fit within the frame of the words. Still, they are found across the span of genres.
Of course, it must simply be my style and key if I’m going to spend any time at all enjoying it. With my aging range of voice and hearing, I often sing bass while everyone else trills in the rafter like birds.
Biblical Songs
Making melodies is an early part of the scriptural foundation. Cain had an offspring, Enoch, who eventually had a grandson named Jubal. (Genesis 4:21) His name is derived from a word used for a “flowing stream.” He is known as the first person of all who played the harp and the flute.
Imagine with me for a moment. What skills did it take to produce musical instruments those thousands of years ago? I’m sure they were made to mimic sounds heard in the natural world. Someone had to start the process of establishing notes, keys, chords, and tempo.
Fast forward generations, and we find music becoming integral to life. As a shepherd lad, David probably played on a much-improved version of the harp of Jubal, but he added words that are still sung today.
The Apostle Paul taught the importance of singing.
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. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
(Colossians 3:16-17 NKJV)
If you would notice something, he teaches us that our songs should be full of the Word of Christ. Their purpose is not just flowery speech, but to recite the words, teach via the song, and use them to help admonish all of us to live better.
Think About It
I take personal note that a spiritual song should be founded on God’s Word and not some imagination of the writer. Why? Songs are an easy mechanism to instruct everyone about our Christian walk. That’s why hymns still work! They are often “story songs.”
Equally, that’s why we enjoy more modern worship songs that are prevalent in many churches.
But let’s make sure they are doctrinally correct.
Recently, a popular song writer of Christian music was heard to say he could not even verify that his songs were doctrinally correct! No one spoke the truth into his life to help him keep his art pointed in the right direction.
Old songbooks (hymns) often had scripture or devotion words in the margins. In other words, you learned something about the purpose of the song with a scripture reference to reinforce the thought.
Songs are not only about the genre, style, singer or group, but mostly about the words and the message they impart. Click To TweetSo, if you only use one style and ignore the others, you miss the greatest opportunity to lift God in the sanctuary and our hearts from many angles.
Philips, Craig, and Dean (PCD) have written and performed many songs I enjoy, but probably not one more enjoyable than this. It’s called “Favorite Song of All,” and it speaks to the idea of what God likes to listen to the most.
Favorite Song of All
He loves to hear the wind sing
As it whistles through the pines on mountain peaks
And He loves to hear the raindrops
As they splash to the ground in a magic melody
He smiles in sweet approval
As the waves crash through the rocks in harmony
Creation joins in unity
To sing to Him majestic symphonies
But His favorite song of all
Is the song of the redeemed
When lost sinners now made clean
Lift their voices loud and strong
When those purchased by His blood
Lift to Him a song of love
There’s nothing more He’d rather hear
Nor so pleasing to His ear
As His favorite song of all
And He loves to hear the angels
As they sing, “Holy, holy is the Lamb”
(Holy, holy, holy is the Lamb)
Heaven’s choirs in harmony
Lift up praises to the great I Am
(Hallelujah, hallelujah)
But He lifts His hands for silence
When the weakest saved by grace begins to sing
And a million angels listen
As a newborn soul sings, “I’ve been redeemed!”
Did you find the phrase that identifies what God likes to listen to? It’s that song of love, and even when the weakest saved by grace begins to sing, I’ve been redeemed. Heaven stops to listen!
Perhaps this song should speak to all of us about those songs we love to sing. What is its purpose? Who gets lifted up, or trounced? What makes a song so popular? The melody, words or singer?
Last Thought
There is a movie I enjoy watching. It’s called “St. John in Exile.” It’s actually a play with only a single actor—Dean Jones, from the Disney movies about a VW bug with personality. Mr. Jones became a born-again believer and produced a play about the Apostle John in exile on Patmos.
He becomes every character of the story by changing lights, facial features and voice. Through the story we find a song the disciples had a part in producing! Peter, Andrew, and John! It’s simple, but melodic. No instruments, only your voice and clapping hands. (It begins about 53 minutes into the film.)
On one level, it makes me realize how simple songs can be. Worship and instruction are the focus, but knowledge is transferred. Then, I find the words tell me the truth as I sing them on a completely different level.
Lord God Almighty, thou art Holy
Maker of the sea and land, the universe and skies
Lord God Almighty, thou art Holy
Dwell within my heart and mind, my finger and my eyes
It’s full of Worship, knowledge, and instruction, but it also comes from the heart to lift up the Lord.
What’s your favorite song of all?
