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Circuitous, repetitive worship songs

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by Su Wei, Jul 1, 2003.

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  1. Su Wei

    Su Wei Active Member
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    taken from the New Hymns topic....

    honestly, it is the first time i've heard of the biblical justification of singing the same phrase over and over, taken from Revelations:

    Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

    So, i'm still at the stage of thinking about it...

    I mentioned in the other topic this verse about vain repetitions:

    Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

    I was thinking more about the kind of prayer/ chanting that people of other religions practice, like the Buddhists. Or even the Hail Mary.

    i guess i was likening repetitive singing to what Jesus was referring to in matthew 6:7

    Some questions i have for the people out there who are more informed than myself about what i describe as circuituos, repetitive songs:

    1) when did this kind of music (style) appear on the church scene? And from which "sector" of Christianity?

    2) why didn't great hymn writers read revelations and come to the same conclusions as song writers and worship leaders of our day???

    Thanks. [​IMG]
     
    #1 Su Wei, Jul 1, 2003
  2. ScottEmerson

    ScottEmerson Active Member

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    Probably at the advent of the early church. The early church sang psalms - more than likely the psalms of the OT. Many of these repeat over and over again. Later, even when newer songs were written, they were also more than likely repetitive, as there was no way to write them down, as musical notation hadn't found its way yet.

    They weren't spiritual enough? (Just kidding!) Perhaps it is just the way music has changed. Music changes. Music has become more complex, as the hearing of the population has gotten more attuned to different sounds, such as "jazz chords." There are passages in the Psalms and such that don't repeat - the hymn in Phillipians is an example. I think that Scripture supports both kinds of music. And if we think about it, there are many hymns that repeat their chorus five or six times, such as "At the Cross" or even "Yes, Jesus Loves Me."
     
    #2 ScottEmerson, Jul 1, 2003
  3. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    "I Surrender All" seems to go on for quite a while.
     
    #3 Mike McK, Jul 1, 2003
  4. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    I believe when sung in the right attitude, the repetitive nature of a chorus adds new meaning every time. I'll use "I Surrender All" as an example.

    You make the opening statements:

    All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give;
    I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.

    Then you affirm that statement with:

    I surrender all, I surrender all,
    All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

    Now the writer turns from talking about surrender to God, to actually doing it:

    All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
    Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine.

    Again, weight is added with:

    I surrender all, I surrender all,
    All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

    Now a new idea, of seeking, of asking for blessing:

    All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee;
    Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.

    And again, an affirmation of that surrender, the giving up of all control to Him:

    I surrender all, I surrender all,
    All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.


    So, you see, I don't see it as a vain repetition. Each statement carries with it a new flavor of meaning. Just my humble opinion. [​IMG]
     
    #4 Joshua Rhodes, Jul 1, 2003
  5. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    Josh, I was being facetious.

    "Just As I Am" is a fine song.
     
    #5 Mike McK, Jul 1, 2003
  6. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    Mike... I caught your facitiousness... no worries.

    I merely took your prompt and thought I might share my thoughts using the song you mentioned. I wasn't offended, or didn't intend my response to seem like a dig at you. Sorry if it did. [​IMG]
     
    #6 Joshua Rhodes, Jul 1, 2003
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