Psalm 96 (New Jerusalem Bible)
Music has always been a very important part of the Jesus faith. Music kept the faithful together as they sang hymns deep within the catacombs as a sanctuary from Roman persecution. From the songs from the Hebrew Bible through the hymns mentioned in the New Testament, and Philippians 2: 5-11 is an example of the latter. Music kept the faithful together.
Friedrich Nietzsche who wrote the famous book, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” once said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” If you’re not familiar with Nietzsche’s famous book, you’ve probably heard the music based on its title anytime you’ve watched the opening scenes of the movie “2001, A Space Odyssey.”
Some have even described hell as either devoid of music or has loud speakers blaring the same song over and over again. Imagine hearing the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” again and again for all eternity. That would be hell for me. Now don’t worry, I’m not turning fire and brimstone on you. I’m still very much the universalist. Just some humor here.
Music can touch deep places within us and transport us to different times. Now many people say they only like the old hymns? OK, I like the old songs also. But my “old” is 12th century Gregorian Chants. They can transport one back to the medieval era. But people will say, but they’re in Latin! But even hymns in Latin or any foreign language can resonate with people without knowing the language. It is the Holy Spirit which makes that possible.
Music engages a part of us that is not simply cerebral. Music expresses thoughts and feelings within us in a way that words alone cannot. Music can be a vehicle to express an idea or feeling that stirs our souls but is beyond human language. The classical music composer Gustav Mahler once said, “If a composer could say what he had to say in words, he would not bother trying to say it in music.” Meaning, music can have a deeper message than words. And the French author Victor Hugo said, “Music expresses that which cannot be said, but which is impossible to remain silent.”
There are all types of church music as diverse as rock, classical and country music. And church music through the centuries has certainly evolved. It might surprise some and especially Presbyterians, but John Calvin, who is credited as one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church in the 16th century, thought acapella singing was the only proper type of music for church worship. Calvin believed instrumental music in the church was pagan and a sin. But imagine how deprived we would’ve been. There would never have been religious music played with the piano, the organ and I love pipe organs, the violin, the harp and other musical instruments. But, Martin Luther who was a fellow Protestant Reformer and a contemporary of John Calvin, strongly disagreed with Calvin on this issue of music. Luther said that anything which gives glory to God is blessed. I say a big AMEN to that!
And in closing, I agree literally what it says in Psalm chapter 96, verse one. As written it says, “Sing a new song to Yahweh!” In other words, don’t be afraid or negative about new hymns. The latest hymnal of the Presbyterian Church USA has some beautiful new songs which are contemporary for our own times. And remember, at one time even the 12th century Gregorian Chants were “new music.”
Dearest God, we give thanks for the beauty and wonder of music that you have given your people for thousands of years. We also thank you for the musical blessings you have given to the Salem Presbyterian past and present. And we are especially thankful for people who have made that possible who are with us today. A special blessing for Doug McKinley, Connie Kenninger and her granddaughter Shelby, Trina Brown, Becky Duncan and others who are with us in spirit. May their voices continue to sing the love of God on earth and in Heaven for us to hear many times again. AMEN.
