Sing and Proclaim
Folklore is not true, though it may have a passing resemblance to true things. This does not make it accurate. Recently, I wrote about the idea of putting away myths in the new year. The only way to put away myths is to know the truth. Truth must be exhibited when we pray to the Father in Jesus' name. Truth must be proved when we give on the first day of the week. Truth must be observed as we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. Truth must be boldly proclaimed from the pulpit. Yes, truth must be observed in every song that we sing in praise of Jehovah. Certainly, this preacher would not remain in his position if he were to preach premillennial doctrine, Calvinism, or any other heresy. Each Christian must be sure that the words we sing are first true and suitable for the worship of God.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). The Christian must worship with the right spirit. This means when I worship I am not going through the motions, unengaged. Rather, my heart, mind, and spirit must all focus on the words that I am singing, studying, praying, etc. In regards to truth, the words that I utter must also be true according to God’s Holy Word.
God will only accept that which is accurate and approved (Genesis 4:5-7; Malachi 1:6-14). We understand that the Holy Spirit commands each one to sing and make melody in their heart (cf. Ephesians 5:19). We must also consider that when we do this we do it as an assembled body physically in the same place because the purpose is the worship of God, and it also has an additional benefit for the church. Colossians 3:16 reminds us that when we sing we are to do so” in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another.”
If God rejects inaccurate and unapproved worship, and He rejects that which is untrue, what kind of songs should we sing? When we sing it would certainly be prudent to sing scripture. Psalms are meant to be more than read, they are songs of praise to Jehovah. Consider Psalm 19:7-9 which speaks to the power of God’s revealed Word. The Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120-134) were called such because they were sung in going up to Jerusalem to worship. Lamentations 3:22-24 is short but powerful as they proclaim the dependency on God’s Word. That tells us all something: it is not the number of words that matters, it is the content of truth that matters. Songs are without value if they lack the truth of God’s Word. The usage of poetic license is fine when it is Biblical, but worthless when it teaches error.
We must sing songs that we understand and seek to understand the songs we sing. Sounding good or having a delightful harmony is not the focus of worship, God is the focus. While we want to have those things as much as we can and want to give our best to God in sound as well, we would be more pleasing to God if we meant what we sang. There is some antiquated language in some hymns, rather than throwing them out, why not learn what some difficult words mean? We do this with the Scriptures themselves. “O Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” is a good old hymn. However, when we sing “Here I raise my Ebenezer: Hither by thy help I come.” What does that even mean? The author was referring to 1 Samuel 7:10-12.
“ And as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but Jehovah thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten down before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them until they came under Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us.”
We can understand the depth of the song when we seek the answers. We can appreciate how an event that happened thousands of years ago has relevance today and reminds us of the Lord’s steadfast love.
What a blessing it is to be a child of God, to remember all that He has done to redeem us and the great love He has shown to all. Singing and praising our God is a great and honorable thing. May we ever commit to singing and proclaiming the truth of His Word.
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
