Praise and Worship - Music

Music is a large part of any culture.  Music existed from the very beginning of time.  God Himself is the originator of music and was created to worship Him.  In Job 38:4-7, God speaks of when he “laid the foundations of the earth…When the morning stars sang together.”  Ezekiel 28:13 says of Lucifer “The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.”  Lucifer had been had been an anointed cherub with immense musical ability.  But Lucifer wanted to be like the Most High.  He has devised many close counterfeits of God’s truth.  One of his most subtle perversions has been to corrupt God’s music.  He does not want anyone else to be a chief musician or have music that praises and worships God.  You can understand why Satan tries to bring down people in the music ministry.

God’s music will bring life and health to the body, soul, and spirit.

Isaiah 12:2 sums it up “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song.”  In 1 Samuel 16:23 it says “And so it was, whenever the spirit (of distress) from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.”  Satan’s music, on the contrary, seeks to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10).

God’s music will emphasize the melody, not the harmony or rhythm.

Ephesians 5:18-19 says, “but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  Isaiah 23:16 tells us to “Make sweet melody, sing many songs.”  There are three parts in a musical composition: the melody, the harmony, and the rhythm.  Melody is the essence of music.  The melody carries and reinforces the words; therefore, God’s music will emphasize the melody and its words, not the harmony or the rhythm. The word “music” comes from the word “muse” which means to “think.”  A song’s words make us think; too much harmony can distract from this.  A loud dominant rhythm sets the flesh moving, which in some cases can feed our fleshly nature.

The devil’s music emphasizes a loud, hypnotic rhythm, and has little melody and very little meaning. It feeds the flesh and not the spirit.  Many of the secular songs out there have beat of the Shaman which has a trance effect on the mind.

God’s music will contain scripture references that teach and admonish.

Christian music is not entertainment.  Christian music is spiritual “food.”  The book of Psalm 98:4 says to “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.”    Colossians 3:16 says to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  A Christian musician should be a student of the Word of God!  Young people today can quote the lyrics of contemporary Christian music, but often cannot quote the Holy Bible. 

Much of contemporary Christian music omits the Lord, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, and God with pronouns such as “he,” “him,” or “you.”  How can anyone writing God’s songs omit Jesus, Holy Spirit, and God?

God’s music will be spiritual, not sensual.

Ephesians 5:18-19 equates walking in the Spirit with singing spiritual songs.  It says, “but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  A Christian is born again of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:15 says, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with understanding.”   Therefore, Christian music should feed the spirit, not the flesh.  The Sprit and the flesh are contrary and opposite (Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish).  God’s music will give us things to understand and think about that are pure and godly. 

 

Godly music will praise God, and not draw attention to the singer.

Hymns are about HIM!   Psalm 28:7 tells us, “And with my song I will praise Him.”  Psalm 66:2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.  Praise redirects our thinking to God’s power and not our circumstances.

On the other hand, the devil’s music will redirect the worship to man (or false gods), and not to the Lord.  You can hear the audience at a concert practically worshiping the singer.  John 12:43 says to such things, “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”  Have you ever felt in your spirit, a member or leader of a praise group was just putting on a show? The song can at times be almost irrelevant lacking the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The focus is on the person and songs have become performance driven, rather than a message.  Christians are to draw attention to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, not to themselves.

God’s music will be sung and played by Christians who live by the book.

In the Bible, God did not allow just anybody to be his musicians.  When He chose his musicians in the Old Testament, he specifically chose the Levites, who were separated for the service of the sanctuary.  The priests were also chosen from the Levites.  1 Chronicles 15:16 tells us “Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.”  We cannot choose ourselves to be in the music ministry.  You must be chosen by God. 

Music is an expression of the heart.  Beautiful voices are a “dime a dozen,” but beautiful hearts have the Holy Spirit within and are more precious than gold.  Your music, singing, and worship must be led by the Holy Spirit and it must praise God. 

The praise and worship part of the service is the most important part of the service.  Praise and worship allows for praise, worship, singing in the spirit, surrendering, petition to the Lord, confessing sin, asking for forgiveness, forgiving others and self, coming to the altar, healing, deliverance, and so much more.  Why is this time of the service so neglected?  Why is the altar during praise and worship devoid of believers who are struggling and in trouble?

It is my position that every music (praise and worship) leader should prepare the audience by inviting the Holy Spirit into the presence of the congregation together and to call the congregation to submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit in our praise and worship.  Believers are under the misconception that the Holy Spirit automatically shows up. Understand, the Holy Spirit can show up whenever He wants and He does in parts of the congregation, but I don’t see that happening in the congregation as a whole.

I know this promise from God’s Word; if we call the Holy Spirit, He will answer us.  I can say without a doubt, if you call on the Holy Spirit with the congregation, the praise and worship will be magnified like you have never seen before.

Psalm 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Psalms 86:7 In the time of trouble, I will call upon you, for you will answer me.

Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Luke 11:13…. how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Blessings to you all,

Tony Sanchez, 6-28-17