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What makes a good biblical song?
Good biblical songs are usually taken directly from Scripture or based on scriptural principles. When I was in Haifa, Israel, the Messianic congregation listed the Biblical references on the O.H.P. underneath the words of the song. This is an extremely effective way of learning Scripture too. Songs that are derived from scripture are inspired by the Holy Spirit as He is the author of scripture (see 2 Peter 1v21).
I love the chorus 'As the deer pants for the water' as the words are meaningful and awesome and it is inspired from Psalm 42.
Songs should be clear with regard to who is receiving the glory. On a humorous note I heard of one congregation down the road where the chorus 'Michael rode the boat ashore' was started up and had to be stopped! Obviously that is clearly not biblical and the point is that the songs that we sing should not espouse the views of those from other faiths or half truths!
Should we be formal or lively? Instead of digging my own pit and suggesting a prescribed routine, why not follow Scripture instead of tradition. There is no need to be restricted to a ritualised format. Psalms 144-150 are jubilant, full of praise and include the sound of the trumpet and loud cymbals! There is need for worship also (see the 'new song' in Revelation 5: 9-10)
A mixture of praise and worship is obviously important. Praise is about God whilst worship is directed directly towards Him. It is difficult to draw the line between working the crowd and encouraging others to adopt an attitude of worship, but at the end of the day our worship is in front of an audience of One, God! Similarly praise and worship are conducive towards an attitude of adoration, yet I certainly don't advocate over hyping the use of songs to reach a decision or commitment based on temporary emotion, rather than truth and a heart conviction.
It is fantastic when songs lead people to pray also and space is allowed between songs, so that there is an opportunity for spontaneous prayer too. We need to be filled with the Spirit. Being filled means to be controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit, there is no need to get zapped. When we are truly led by the Holy Spirit we may well be taken out of our comfort zones, but being led by the Holy Spirit never means doing anything in opposition to what is written in Scripture, as Scripture has been given by the Spirit. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is 'invited'. Whilst we most certainly should never quench the Spirit (see 1 Thess 5v19) we shouldn't forget the Holy Spirit is omnipresent and also resides in the believers!
Songs also educate us about God's will and purposes (See song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55)
Lastly we have been created for His glory. (Isaiah 43v7) We can glorify Him by creating new songs and singing them and praising Him at all times and places, as He is most certainly worthy of it!
Amen! |
