Question on Singing

Articles

Jay Guyer
02/16/16 - Singing

Question on Singing

In the music we sing there is more and more tendency toward something that sounds good, than on what honors and praises God and edifies His people. For many years questions have arisen in several “problem areas” like: difficulty with the music that detracts from the message; phrases and counter-phrases that confuse the message; speed that runs over and veils the message; timing and entrance of parts that makes the message almost unnoticeable, etc. So, what should or can we do to achieve praise to the Lord and spiritual encouragement for Saints?

I have been privileged to participate in many different worship settings, which has encouraged me to think outside our immediate culture. Allow me to share an experience while preaching in Nigeria. First, we sang the words of some hymns to tunes I had never heard. Second, there were no song books (only two or three people could read). Third, some could not follow the tune that we sang, much less could they sing harmony. Fourth, very few spoke in English. Fifth, the singing went like this: 1) the leader would sing a phrase by himself – “I’m pressing on the upward way” then stop and was quiet. 2) The congregation then repeated/sang that specific phrase. 3) Leader – “New heights I’m gaining every day” then stop and was quiet. 4) The congregation then repeated/sang that...so on throughout the entire song.

Questions: Were they teaching and admonishing one another? Yes. Were they singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord? Certainly. Were they being edified? Definitely. Was their worship in song decent and orderly? Absolutely. Could any unbelievers present have reported that God truly was among them? Undoubtedly.

We also sat in a building made of mud, windows with no glass, no doors, a dirt floor, benches with no lean-backs, animals running in, out and around the building. Was I able to get myself into an acceptable worship mode? Yes, after a few minor, cultural adjustments and a recall of words to songs.

In the United States we have similar circumstances which call for adjustment and caution. While preaching a meeting in Maine, I became embarrassed to discover that I was the only person singing a harmony part and was sticking out like a sore thumb. On the other side of that coin is a congregation in West Virginia, where so many people know and sing harmony parts, it is sometimes difficult to hear the melody. In that group it is hard to sing a song that they do not know or cannot sing immediately by reading the notes – to them the music becomes secondary very quickly. “Problem areas” with songs seem to vanish in that group.

Each congregation is unique and autonomous by the Lord’s design. The above questions could be repeated for both of these groups, with the same answers in response. Several things must be factored in, like: experiences, training, education, abilities, interests, opportunities, to name just a few. So, the answer to our question (in my humble opinion) can not be etched in stone. There are too many variables. If there was a hard, fast rule, the Lord would have made sure to include it in His Word. Of course judgments will enter the picture, but even then my judgment will likely be different from yours. And, neither of us can lawfully bind our judgment on anyone.

One method or type of singing might be edifying, worshipful, and encouraging to one person or group, but not to another. Therefore, each of us needs to be sure about our heart, our purpose. We must make certain that we are worshipping God and teaching our brethren, whether as an individual or in a collectivity, OR select another song. Jay Guyer February 2009