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Singing
Songs: Strongs Greek
5608 o-day from 103 a chant or ode
(the general term for any words sung)
5215 hoom’-nos a hymn or religious ode
Singing: Strongs Greek 5567 Psallo
If God had commanded us to play instead of sing we
would all have to play an instrument since we are a Kingdom of Priests and
it is the duty of all priests to serve Him.
Eph 5:19 Speaking
to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord;
Let us go back a verse to get the context.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is
excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Wine was at that time the common intoxicating
drink in the ancient world. This verse forbids intoxication which was a
common vice at the time. The word excess means riot. Enjoyment is not to
be sought as the world seeks pleasure in wine but rather we are to be
filled with the Spirit.
To be dominated and controlled by the Spirit as a
drunkard is dominated and controlled by alcohol. Then your songs will not
be as the pagan revelry. Examples: Nazi Deutschland uber alles and Japan’s
Kimi ga yo which is beautiful music and hypnotically pagan like Diana
worshipers whom the Ephesians knew well.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord;
Psalms: Under the influence of the Spirit, when
you are together, you will sing psalms such as those of the psalmist in
your Old Testament.
Psalms Example: #530 The Lord’s My Shepherd
Hymns: Which are songs of praise to God in
Christ. Alleluia 238b
Spiritual Songs: songs - express emotion A
Wonderful Savior #2
We find Christian songs in the church at a very
early period.
Singing and making melody or music in your heart
is commanded.
The heart is the direct object used to describe
singing which is the Greek word psallo. While the lips sing, the
heart must join in the melody by uplifting our hearts to God. Too much
singing in the church is only of the lips.
I have known some men believe that singing is a
woman’s job and therefore it is undignified for them to raise their hearts
in praise to God. Paul is contrasting how we are to live our lives versus
the paganism all around the Ephesians and us today. Singing separates us
as being far different from the world.
The forerunner of the organ was played in the
coliseum in Rome while Christians were fed to lions. Roman Music - The
hydraulus was a water-organ. A row of huge pipes capable of emitting the
most powerful as well as the softest sounds, by adapting keys with levers
and with perforated sliders to open and shut the mouths of the pipes, a
supply of wind being obtained, without intermission, by bellows, in which
the pressure of water performed the same part which is fulfilled in the
modern organ by a weight. Its pipes were made of bronze and reed. The number
of stops, and consequently of its rows of pipes, varied from one to eight .
Joseph Bingham, of the Church of England, in his
book, Antiquities of the Church, says, “Music in the church is as
ancient as the apostles; but instrumental music is not.”
The American Encyclopedia,
Vol. XII, p. 688 says, “Pope Vitalian is related to have first introduced
organs into some of the churches of Western Europe about 670; but the
earliest trustworthy account is that of one sent as a present to the Greek
Emperor Constantine Copronymous to Pepin, king of the Franks, in 755.”
There was much opposition from the monks and the
first compromise was the organ was placed in an out building and the choir
went out to get the tune and came marching in to begin the worship with a
procession.
The Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, in an
article by J. M. Brown, page 852, adds, “That instrumental music was not
practiced by primitive Christians … is evident from church history. The
organ was first introduced into the church service by Marianus Sanatus in
the year 920; and the first that we know in the West was one sent to Pepin
by Constantine Copronymous about the middle of the eighth century.”
By the 12th century it was moved into
the Church building over much objection again by the monks. An organ prelude
was played to get the tune then the organ was shut down, and the choir sang
replacing congregational singing. Slowly over the years the organ began to
be played along with the choir singing.
The Shaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge, Vol. II, p. 1702, adds, “In the
Greek church the organ never came into use
(the Greek Orthodox Church), but after the eighth
century it became common in the Latin Church, not, however, without
opposition from the side of the Monks …
The last riot by Roman Catholic monks over the
organ was in the 16th century.
John Calvin, the founder of a significant strain of
the reformed churches, in his Commentary on the Twenty-Third Psalm,
said: “Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no
more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the
restoration of the other shadows of the law.”
John Wesley, founder of Methodism, puts it this
way, “I have no objection to the organ in our chapel, provided that it is
neither seen nor heard.”
To many, the bible is an earthly road map to
treasure, entertainment, prosperity, wealth, and health. Instead our
Treasure is buried in the stars, and the bible is our road map to eternity.
Entertainment is not one of the 9 supernatural
gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in I Corinthians the 12th
chapter. Can you imagine the apostle Paul laying hands upon someone and them
receiving the gift of entertainment? Can’t you see Jesus selling tickets to
the feeding of the 5,000, or Peter selling advance seating to a ‘walking on
the water’ seminar?
By bringing preaching, music and
entertainment together, the true meaning of music and preaching in the
church is lost. The true music of the church is seen when our hearts and
minds respond to the blessings in Christ Jesus and we lift up our voices
with sweet thanksgiving in our hearts to the Lord.
Brother David Tarbet of the White Rock Congregation
sent me a copy of Bruce Morton’s book, Deceiving Winds, which I have enjoyed
very much and will now freely quote and paraphrase: “Just as Paul tells the
Ephesians to be careful how they live cf: Eph.5:15 he also tells them to be
filled with the spirit. He is calling them away from music and conduct that
is dishonoring to God.
We need to also consider the authority of the New
Testament and the question of doing something where the New Testament is
silent. Often the Hebrew writer as an example argues about God teaching us
by the argument of silence by not saying some things. Indeed one of the very
first principles of the Restoration Movement is: Speak where the Bible
Speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.
In early Greek culture the Greek word psallo
was associated with making music on a stringed instrument. This is the way
it was used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament the Septuagint.
Paul’s use of psallo has changed from this
meaning in Ephesians to a new meaning 5:19 ... sing and make music found in
the Septuagint, now has a revision which points to vocal music only. Paul
has modified psallo by the direct object with your heart to the Lord
Eph 5:19
What was once worship on an instrument cf:
Psalm 27:6 And now shall mine head be
lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his
tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto
the LORD.
Psalm 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my
heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
Singing is now with the heart. Paul counsel
Christians away from Asian cult practice. He is calling Christians to a
reshaping of Israel’s temple worship. If we carefully examine the context,
singing is linked with the internal. The New Testament temple of the Lord is
not wood and stone cf:
Eph. 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In
whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in
the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God
through the Spirit.
Paul is urging the Church to distance itself from
the dark conduct common in Asian religions Eph. 5:4 , such as buffoonery and
drunkenness and replace it with thanksgiving Eph 5:20. He was urging the
Christians to worship the Lord, not in sensually corrupting worship, but in
song that would teach and encourage others and honor God.
The Greek god of wine and ecstasy Dionysus (Di-on-i-sus)
was celebrated by orgiastic enthusiasm cf: Eph. 5:18
Dionysiac (Di-on-e-z-ack) frenzy and orgiastic
enthusiasm on one side and on the other the fullness of the Spirit. He is
contrasting sensual Dionysus cult-like activity and the song through which
the Holy Spirit works renewing the children of light.
Diana and Cybele (Sy-be-lee)worship was filled with
the sound of flutes, tambourines, cymbals, drums and debauchery.
Dionysiac (Di-on-e-z-ack) worship used vocal tones
mimicked by instruments ... low tones from drums represented possession by a
supposed male deity. The ancient world had a thirst for the sensual which
was which was filled with the sound of instruments in such pagan worship.
Just as today they wanted entertainment and sensational religion.
In contrast to how they have been living and
worshiping, Paul urges them to live as children of light and sing to one
another and to the Lord. The emphasis is on what they should be doing as
opposed to all that they have been doing.
In every temple there was the frenzy-stricken ones,
wands, ivy wreaths, and fawn skins. The religious danger he was describing
to the brethren at Ephesus was well known to all Romans, Greeks and Asians.
They knew exactly what was on Paul’s mind. The powerful Dionysus (Di-on-i-sus)
cult;
Singing to the Lord as a Unifying Action.
In the months prior to World War II this country
recognized importance of song. In October 1940 they urged school students to
sing together. God Bless America became the most popular song in early World
War II documentary films. No one left out or left behind; people were drawn
together. Part-singing invited full participation by all members of the
community because all vocal types were represented by a place in assembling
and singing together.
God desires that we, by our song, would join the
rest of his creation as the good sound of his good work including those of
us who cannot carry a tune! It is only a good sound, however, when it is
also the sound of a people acting with solidarity. No organ/band/orchestra.
Even the song leader deemphasizing his role.
People assembled to worship can fall prey to an
entertainment mentality. People begin to believe that the praise team or the
folks next to them who are singing meet the need of the 1000, or the 100,
gathered to worship and so they begin to worship by proxi.
Viewing the worship assembly at a mega Church it
has the complexion of thousands of couples on a date, listening to a
concert.
There were no children’s present. We must not miss
the Lord’s blessing from singing simple songs that our children know well,
and we need to teach our children verses of songs familiar to adults.
Our society is full of concert halls, digital music
players and home theaters. Easy-access sensuality drenches our society.
Contrast the audience concept of instrumental song
to the oneness presented by A Cappella part singing ... there is a warm
invitation to visitors to join the singing as the church sings with
thanksgiving to God.
We need to see ourselves as an assembly of people
each with a responsibility to sing to others and to the Lord in
thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:18-20 ... And be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; v:19 Speaking to
yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord; v:20 Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
v:21
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
In these verses the plural imperative is
contrasted: on one hand: be not drunk with wine and on the other hand be
ye filled with the spirit. Please notice the Christian’s alternative to
drugs and alcohol is to be filled with the Spirit.
If the word: Speaking in v:19 is controlled by
the spirit it is understandable and not ecstatic or pentecostal.
V:19 has 3 nouns: psalms, hymns & spiritual songs
with double verbs: singing & making melody. The word: yourselves in v:19
comes from the Greek he-au-to-is literally speaking to another.
Notice what is involved with being filled with
the Spirit is described with 5 participles: Speaking, singing, making
melody, giving thanks and submitting.
Col 3:16 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.
It is hard to understand the genitive of the
phrase: word of Christ. It could be subjective in that Christ is the
source of the word or it could be objective with Christ as the content of
the word. It also may mean both. But whatever it means if it dwells in you
richly ploo-see-oce abundantly you will be teaching & admonishing one
another with the emphasis on everyone.
How in the world can you teach another with song?
How about learn to sing the Shema cf: Deuteronomy 6:4 in Hebrew to the
tune of: Alleluia #238b. Such a concept was dreamed up while I was singing
Alleluia in the shower and we have had over 10,000 hits on the web on the
song. We are # 1 in the world on google under Sing the Shema in Hebrew.
Over 20,000 orthodox Jewish sites are trying to be # 1 on google and the
Main Street Church of Christ is # 1. Now when they down load the song they
hear v:3 What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear
... plus they get a one hour sermon on the Kingdom of God is the Church of
Christ. What do you mean you can’t teach with singing.
In Col. 3:16 we have the same 3 nouns as
Ephesians 5:19: psalms, hymns & spiritual songs with the double verbs
singing and grace khar-ece the Divine influence upon the heart. The word
in means your whole self.
1Co 14:15 What
is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also.
Jas 5:13 Is any
among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Heb 2:12 Saying, I
will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I
sing praise unto thee.
Heb 13:15 By him
therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is,
the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Mat 26:30 And
when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.
The Old Testament was a shadow of the New
Testament in Christ.
Heb 9:1 Then
verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service,
and a worldly sanctuary.
Heb 9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the
first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the
shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle
which is called the Holiest of all;
Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark
of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the
golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of
the covenant;
Heb 10:1 For the
law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image
of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by
year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Notice the Old Testament the shadow of New
Testament worship in that the played instruments only until the sacrifice
was finished. Then when the sacrifice was finished they sang only no more
playing instruments.
2Ch 29:25-30 And
he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries,
and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's
seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD
by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and
the priests with the trumpets. And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt
offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the
LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments
ordained by David king of Israel. And all the congregation worshipped,
and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this
continued until the burnt offering was finished.
And when they had made an end of offering, the king
and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.
Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing
praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And
they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.
History shows the early Church only sang because
Christ our sacrifice is finished.
For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things
pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for
sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of
the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by
reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer
for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is
called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself
to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to
day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou
art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrew 7:17-28
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going
before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made
nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the
which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was
made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this
with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not
repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly
were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of
death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an
unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the
heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up
sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he
did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests
which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law,
maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
II Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his
subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ.
Again:
Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your
heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the
Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God.
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