We're Singing THIS Song?!?!

In my previous post I alluded to the importance of choosing songs wisely.  This is in response to Colossians 3:16, which commands us as believers to teach and admonish one another with ALL wisdom through the vehicle of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  While this is a command to believers in general, it should have even more application for those who lead their churches in singing praise.

Songs need to be chosen wisely, for several reasons.  Most importantly is the content of what we sing.  Sure, something can sound amazing.  It could even be the most beautiful piece of music ever written.  But if it's paired with lyrics that dishonor God, how can we sing that as praise unto Him?  Content matters.  When we sing praise songs, we are affirming that we believe the lyrics that we sing (at least, I hope we are...otherwise, we're either singing hypocritically, mindlessly, or carelessly...all of which are no-no's).  BUT, that means the songs we choose need to have lyrics that a Christian can sing unto the Lord.  That, in turn, means the lyrics must be true to Scripture.

So what kind of lyrics fall in that category?  Proper doctrine, characteristics of God, proper responses to who God is and what he has done, or straight up words from Scripture.  Of course, we should always make sure that what we're singing properly applies to us as Christians, and that the passages are not taken out of context.  A good example is Create In Me a Clean Heart...a classic...but unfortunately, has the line "and take not thy Holy Spirit from me."  This was taken from Psalm 51, where King David is mourning over his sin during the whole Bathsheba incident.  For the most part, it's a good song.  When we sin (which we often do), we need to go to the Lord with a contrite heart, asking God to forgive us and to give us the ability to fight sin.  The problem lies within that line quoted above.  As New Testament saints, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  He cannot be taken away.  So singing this song would not make any sense, and I would even venture to say that God is displeased with that song because it contradicts His truth revealed in Scripture.  So, lyrics are important.

But also very important is the music that accompanies the lyrics.  Music is such a wonderful gift, and they have incredible power.  However, as my favorite OCD detective, Mr. Monk would say, that's a gift and a curse.  Because music is so moving, it can unfortunately lend itself to emotionalism.  Do you doubt what I say?  Think of your favorite action movie (think: Gladiator, Braveheart, etc.).  Remember those great battle scenes, or those epic moments, like when William Wallace gives his final speech ("you can take my life, but you can never take my freedom!!!)  Instead of emotional, classical instruments playing beautiful music, what if Gene Kelly's "Singing in the Rain" was playing in the background?  You think it would have the same effect?  Is it wrong to be moved by music?  Not necessarily.  I think if hearing beautiful music causes you to be amazed by the creativity and intricacies of our great God, then that's great!  But if it's just moving your emotions to the point where you don't have control, I think that's dangerous.  The other thing with music: it can either help us remember a song, or it can ruin our taste for it.  A really well-written melody can aid us in recalling the lyrics to a song.  This is especially helpful in the context of praise music.  Assuming that the lyrics are solid, that means, with the help of the melody, we can recall biblical truths to encourage us and others.  What a powerful and wonderful gift!  On the other hand, the lyrics may be God-honoring, but if the melody is clunky, distracting, or hard to follow, it may not be as easy to remember (or you may not want to).

The other reason we need to be wise in choosing songs is because what we sing in church will inevitably inform and instruct peoples' hearts and minds.  This is very serious.  I believe those of us who choose the songs will be held accountable for how we lead the body in singing.  So we must make sure the lyrics are God-honoring so as to instruct and encourage believers to love God all the more, and the melodies should act as an aid to recalling those songs. 

Is that what you signed up for when you joined the praise ministry?  Or did you think it was going to be about rocking out on stage?  I hope and pray we would take this ministry seriously, that we would take this ministry to the Lord in prayerful dependence, and that we would grow in our love for Christ, which is foundational in our effectiveness in leading others to sing of His glory.