Why sing?

Language is the expression and communication of thoughts and feelings. God certainly needs language of some kind to speak to us...

When I speak of language and music, I am speaking of the earthly sciences, not the heavenly. Eye hath not seen, neither ear heardwhat God has in store for those who love Him. Paul speaks of a man who was caught up into the Third heaven and saw unspeakable things. So cast off the weak and beggarly carnal imaginations of what God may need or not. It is we who need it. Not He. What God has the power to reveal to our spirits in a nanosecond, because of the weakness of earthly things He reveals in 66 books and a lifetime of discipline. God needs language as much as He needs a drink of water.

...I fail to see how music is like language (at least in the sense that you are describing the two.

The gift of tongues is a spriritual gift completely unrelated to music. Again I am forced to ask you to provide some Scriptural reference to demonstrate just how you base such a premise.

When Paul speaks of the gift of tongues, he uses musical terms to compare them to. In 1 Cor. 13:1 Paul doesn't say, "if I speak in tongues...and have no love I sound like I'm mumbling." He says, "I sound like a blatting horn or a (irritatingly) clanging gong."

In 1 Cor. 14:6-9 He again compares the use of tongues with the use of musical instruments.

Have you studied language? Part of the requirements for my English degree was Linguistics. Language itself is musical. The rhythm, tone, tempo, etc. all contribute to the meaning of a "spoken" phrase. And this is in any language.

Were there no language, there would be no music and vice versa. They're related and inextricably linked. Doth not even nature itself teach you?

"Such a premise" is elementary among linguists, musicologists, and (now that I've provided the Scripture references to support it) the Holy Spirit.

Where do you derive such a quantitative assessment of the value of music to God? I don't see how this is a Scriptural notion. Also, could you define the meaning of 'edifies' in this statement with respect to your original assertion that music is "really for our edification--not God's"? I don't see how anyone can be edified when music is as you say "used improperly in worship"

Where I "derive such a quantitiative assessment" should now be plain. God is not moved by the carnal sounds we make or the fleshly emotions that are so easily influenced by them.

When I speak of edification I speak of building one's spirit, and music is powerless to build our spirits

Sir Richard's quote answers your question How exactly do you speak a song, and how do you define singing in your heart?

One speaks in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs by yielding their hands to good works, their minds to heanvenly thoughts, and their tongues to good words.

[ December 01, 2002, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: Aaron ]

 

Aaron, over and over again in the Bible, we are commanded to sing:

Deut. 31:19
1 Chron. 15:16, 16:9, 23
Psalms 5:11, 7:17, 9:11, 30:4, 32:11, and on and on about fifty or sixty times in this book
Proverbs 29:6
Isaiah 12:5-6, 65:4, and numerous verses in between
Jeremiah 20:13
Romans 15:9-11
Hebrews 2:12
James 5:13

Music is an extraordinary gift we have been given by God, so let us indeed sing and make music to the Lord. I have a son who is retarded and loves to listen to Karen Carpenter. As I was typing this, a recording of her singing "Sing a Song" was on, and I really like the words:

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple to last your whole life long.
Don't worry if it's not good enough for anyone else to hear,
Just sing, sing a song!

Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud, sing out long
Sing of good things, not bad
Sing of happy, not sad...

For many, many of us, Aaron, music is a much more complete expression of what's in the heart than words could ever be!

 

Helen,

You seem to proceeding on the erroneous premise that I am somehow against the use of music in worship.

I said nothing of the sort. Let's just keep music in it's proper perspective. If music is a gift at all, it falls under the category of tongues and is the least of the gifts.

Many people have a carnal ability to make music. That is not a spiritual gift. It is a natural ability and is useless in the building of God's kingdom. I don't care how it feels.

Music is a powerful tool in treating mental and physical disabilities. I believe I already stated that God gave us music for our health, just like He gave us food, but there can be an overindulgence and too much of the wrong kind.

And the Carpenters are the last ones I would quote from to make a point about the worth of music in worship.

[edited to insert the winking emoticon. i see i neglected it the first time.]

[ December 01, 2002, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: Aaron ]

 

That's OK. I think Kermit the Frog sang it first...

 

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest name i know,
Fills my every longing,
keeps me singing as i go.

quoted from church this morning.

 

bump

 

It's not the quality of the voice, but the attitude of the heart that makes a song.

 

For me it's an offering of love...heart felt and deeply moved love. I use my whole beeing and breath. I am greatful for the music ministry and being able to serve in such a joyous and rewarding way. All to the glory of God.