Harold M. Best states, as a musician, he sometimes finds it difficult concentrating on the text while he is singing because his mind is also set on the musical side of the hymn. It helps to reread and ponder what these texts truly mean. Referring the texts back to the Scripture and reading them over again are also helpful in private prayer and devotion because often, the stories behind the hymns are powerful and these composers are humans who have needs and struggles like everyone else; we can learn to approach and praise the same God, not merely by reading/singing, but by paying attention to how these texts portray God.
Monday, January 2, 2012
IT'S ABOUT THE TEXT!
Harold M. Best states, as a musician, he sometimes finds it difficult concentrating on the text while he is singing because his mind is also set on the musical side of the hymn. It helps to reread and ponder what these texts truly mean. Referring the texts back to the Scripture and reading them over again are also helpful in private prayer and devotion because often, the stories behind the hymns are powerful and these composers are humans who have needs and struggles like everyone else; we can learn to approach and praise the same God, not merely by reading/singing, but by paying attention to how these texts portray God.
Francis of Assisi
The story of The Canticle of the Sun did my heart well and was a joy and encouragement to read. It serves as a very good reminder of several things: First, every day that I live is filled with the treasure of knowing God, a miraculous act done through Christ. This fact is one I seldom recognize as I should. Secondly, I felt reminded that the proper response to a knowledge of truth this great is praising our Maker and Savior for all He has done (this case in song).
God's Minstrels
"Who are, indeed, God's servants if not jongleurs [minstrels] who strive to move men's hearts in order to lead them to the joys of the spirit?" -St. Francis of Assisi (p. 33)
Paul might have thought something similar when he wrote "set your affections on things above." "Moving men's hearts" should not be done without engaging the mind; only by right thinking about the truths of heavenly realities can we rightly rejoice in "the joys of the spirit." As our friends in "Exploring the Worship Spectrum" have agreed, music can serve as a catalyst for the emotions. But emotion cannot be trusted without properly directed thinking, as Paul said having "the word of Christ" expressed in its all fullness through our singing. With every "word or deed" in our corporate gatherings done as an act of service, we can joyfully "give thanks to God the Father through [Christ]."
Paul might have thought something similar when he wrote "set your affections on things above." "Moving men's hearts" should not be done without engaging the mind; only by right thinking about the truths of heavenly realities can we rightly rejoice in "the joys of the spirit." As our friends in "Exploring the Worship Spectrum" have agreed, music can serve as a catalyst for the emotions. But emotion cannot be trusted without properly directed thinking, as Paul said having "the word of Christ" expressed in its all fullness through our singing. With every "word or deed" in our corporate gatherings done as an act of service, we can joyfully "give thanks to God the Father through [Christ]."
Worship War?
I thought Best's explanation of the Truth of God's Word being over-shadowed by the style of music is sadly the case many times in today's church culture. I found it very interesting that both Best and Horness found there to be no war at all between hymns and contemporary styles of worship, especially since at times it seemed to me that Horness was not in complete agreement with Best. Does anyone else have any thoughts on how the two views line up?
"Stirring a spirit of devotion and inflaming divinely approved affection"
"Any songs which are uttered in praise of God are called hymns." Isidore of Seville [c. 560-636]. Early definition of a "Hymn"Expositio psalmorum
"Praise composed in poetic form to our God." Cassiodorus [c. 485-c.580] on Psalm 40:3. An early definition of a "hymn." A page from an early 9th century French manuscript copy of Expositio Psalmorum.
Augustine's definition of a "hymn" as referring to a category of psalms
"Hymns are praises of God with singing: hymns are songs containing the praise of God."
Three elements:
1. Not only of praise,
2. but of God,
3. and singing.
Here is a link to Augustine's commentary on Psalm 73. You can read the quote [see v. 1] in its context.
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