One of my favorite hymns is "Be Thou My Vision."
It is an ancient Irish tune that was brought into English sometime in the past couple hundred years. In truth, not a whole lot is known about who wrote it or exactly when it originated, but it showed up in an English journal for the first time in 1905. Be that as it is, I am simply astounded at the depth of wealth of this little tune. Not only is it a beautiful piece of music, and it most certainly is that, but it is also just brimming with a cry of sincere worship. Read the first verse. Let is soak in. Let it be your prayer as it will be mine today.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2014
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Talk About Hymn
It's one of my favorite songs and it goes like this:
"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."
It was written almost two centuries ago by a man named Reginald Heber but the words still ring with beauty and truth today. It is a song that brings generations together in one chorus to praise God. In truth, this is why I love this song so much. It is commanded that we sing to God and speak to each other with hymns and such (See Eph. 5 & Col. 3). It is then a necessary and good thing for us to learn–I mean memorize–these classic and beautiful hymns of praise so that we may be able to join in song across ages to worship God with one, unified voice. Now that sounds like a choir worth listening too!
"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."
It was written almost two centuries ago by a man named Reginald Heber but the words still ring with beauty and truth today. It is a song that brings generations together in one chorus to praise God. In truth, this is why I love this song so much. It is commanded that we sing to God and speak to each other with hymns and such (See Eph. 5 & Col. 3). It is then a necessary and good thing for us to learn–I mean memorize–these classic and beautiful hymns of praise so that we may be able to join in song across ages to worship God with one, unified voice. Now that sounds like a choir worth listening too!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Powerful Music
Music is powerful. The pairing of lyric and melody to rhythm gives music a unique power to communicate in a way that uses both intellect and heart. Music acts as a highway connecting the mind with the heart. Thus music has a way to communicate complex ideas and emotions in an understandable way. Moreover, because music engages both the heart and the head simultaneously, the soul is inevitably engaged, like if you shake the flowers you're shaking the root.
Additionally, music serves distinct theological purposes for both worship and study. The most obvious usage of music is in worship. Throughout the Scripture, especially in Psalms, music acts as the preferred medium for praise and worship. To be sure, music's pairing of intellect and emotion make it the perfectly tuned instrument to praise the Lord using the entire person.
God requires that we worship Him with all of our hearts, minds, and souls; it is a requirement of worship. Music is the medium that God has designed for worship. Certainly music is not the only mode God created for worship, however, it is one of the most effective.
Not only does music serve as a means to worship, it also is a great method for expressing complex theology in the simplest of ways. It is for this reason that Paul exhorts believers to sing to one another in spiritual songs, hymns, and psalms (Col. 3:16). Believers are to teach each other about the Lord. This requires that we are talking about God and the things of God. Certain things of God can be more than slightly complex, they can be downright difficult to understand. Thankfully, God has given us music as a means to simplify the complex so as to make the challenging accessible.
Because of the uses and Scriptural emphasis of music as worship, the purpose of this dialogue is to encourage us to find songs that can serve these two purposes, worship and theology, in our own lives. The goal is to memorize songs that speak theology to us so that we can take ownership of the theology. Furthermore, when we find ourselves amidst struggle, we will have songs to comfort us and to teach us the theology that we might need most in those tempest moments. Let us then search out music that points us to God.
Additionally, music serves distinct theological purposes for both worship and study. The most obvious usage of music is in worship. Throughout the Scripture, especially in Psalms, music acts as the preferred medium for praise and worship. To be sure, music's pairing of intellect and emotion make it the perfectly tuned instrument to praise the Lord using the entire person.
God requires that we worship Him with all of our hearts, minds, and souls; it is a requirement of worship. Music is the medium that God has designed for worship. Certainly music is not the only mode God created for worship, however, it is one of the most effective.
Not only does music serve as a means to worship, it also is a great method for expressing complex theology in the simplest of ways. It is for this reason that Paul exhorts believers to sing to one another in spiritual songs, hymns, and psalms (Col. 3:16). Believers are to teach each other about the Lord. This requires that we are talking about God and the things of God. Certain things of God can be more than slightly complex, they can be downright difficult to understand. Thankfully, God has given us music as a means to simplify the complex so as to make the challenging accessible.
Because of the uses and Scriptural emphasis of music as worship, the purpose of this dialogue is to encourage us to find songs that can serve these two purposes, worship and theology, in our own lives. The goal is to memorize songs that speak theology to us so that we can take ownership of the theology. Furthermore, when we find ourselves amidst struggle, we will have songs to comfort us and to teach us the theology that we might need most in those tempest moments. Let us then search out music that points us to God.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Music with Intent
Music is a vivid and dynamic part of life. It is a rare bridge that can connect different, even disparate opinions under banners of beauty and community. There is something unique about music's usage of melody, harmony, and rhythm in that it can transmit deep truth in an accessible way. Music is truly a gift straight from God. Like any gift from the Lord, there is a specific purpose and intent to music: praise. Music is a medium for worship and should be understood as such.
In two separate epistles, Paul gives believers directions as to the purpose and the practice of music (Eph. 5:17-21; Col. 3:16-17). For Paul, music is a useful platform for expressing truth. More importantly, music is a way for believers to speak and relate to one another in godliness.
This is huge. Because music is what it is, theology can be paired with simple, memorable melodies that latch into our hearts. Think of all the times when there is a song stuck in your head. This is the purpose of music. The challenge then is to make sure that the music that we are plugging in to is true. Not just a truth, but the truth, which is Jesus. We should strive to be inputting music that speaks theology. In this way, we are using one of God's greatest gifts in the way that He intends. But how can we find music that praises Him?
Fortunately, God has gifted the world with a plethora, a cacophony of musical geniuses that write music that is worshipful and focused on Him. Additionally, every thinkable genre has musicians singing biblically-grounded lyrics. From metal to rap to country to rock and everything in between, we can praise the Lord in Spirit and in truth in any style of music that grabs us. This is a beautiful thing.
In choosing music, like choosing any kind of art, the most important thing to assess its content in reference to the Word. This is part of music's purpose. Music is a medium for the Word to take root in our hearts and in our minds. This should not be taken lightly. Because of the gravity and the great potential for spiritual harm, music should be considered with a sober-mind, not void of music's emotional content, but focused on what the music is actually saying about God. The purpose is supposed to be worship and praise. For more on this, read Psalms 145-150.
In two separate epistles, Paul gives believers directions as to the purpose and the practice of music (Eph. 5:17-21; Col. 3:16-17). For Paul, music is a useful platform for expressing truth. More importantly, music is a way for believers to speak and relate to one another in godliness.
This is huge. Because music is what it is, theology can be paired with simple, memorable melodies that latch into our hearts. Think of all the times when there is a song stuck in your head. This is the purpose of music. The challenge then is to make sure that the music that we are plugging in to is true. Not just a truth, but the truth, which is Jesus. We should strive to be inputting music that speaks theology. In this way, we are using one of God's greatest gifts in the way that He intends. But how can we find music that praises Him?
Fortunately, God has gifted the world with a plethora, a cacophony of musical geniuses that write music that is worshipful and focused on Him. Additionally, every thinkable genre has musicians singing biblically-grounded lyrics. From metal to rap to country to rock and everything in between, we can praise the Lord in Spirit and in truth in any style of music that grabs us. This is a beautiful thing.
In choosing music, like choosing any kind of art, the most important thing to assess its content in reference to the Word. This is part of music's purpose. Music is a medium for the Word to take root in our hearts and in our minds. This should not be taken lightly. Because of the gravity and the great potential for spiritual harm, music should be considered with a sober-mind, not void of music's emotional content, but focused on what the music is actually saying about God. The purpose is supposed to be worship and praise. For more on this, read Psalms 145-150.
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