lyrics that aren't doctrinal

[Tom Butler]

Here's a peeve of mine. In a few songs, the Baptist Hymnal changes the words. In the hymn, "Alas and Did My Savior Bleed" (At the Cross), the words are "Would He devote that sacred head for sinners such as I?"

The original words: "Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?"

Am I the only one bothered by that?

Music4you, you're right that music leaders need to be vigilant. There are some songs that I just can't sing. Remember the old one, "There's a New Name Written Down in Glory?" If you're a Calvinist, you won't sing it. If you're not, you'll have no problem with it.

I wish I could remember who said "Your theology should drive your hymnology."

 

[PJ]

Originally posted by Tom Butler:
Here's a peeve of mine. In a few songs, the Baptist Hymnal changes the words. The original words: "Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?" Am I the only one bothered by that?

I noticed that too ...

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Here's another one:

Beulah Land

Verse 1
I'm kind of homesick for a country
To which I've never been before.
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken
for time won't matter anymore.

Chorus:
Beulah Land, I'm longing for you
and some day on thee I'll stand.
There my home shall be eternal.
Beulah Land -- Sweet Beulah Land

Verse 2
I'm looking now across the river
where my faith will end in sight.
There’s just a few more days to labor.
Then I will take my heavenly flight.

Many sing this song as if Beulah land was heaven, and the lyrics proclaim this as well. But if you look up Beulah in the Bible, you find it in only one place...

Isaiah 62:4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. {Hephzibah: that is, My delight is in her} {Beulah: that is, Married}

Heaven was never desolate, nor forsaken, so therefore, Beulah is not heaven. Get over it.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

My Sins Are Gone...

The chorus has a line that says, 'In the sea of God's forgetfulness that's good enough for me' but, one cannot find the phrase sea of forgetfulness in the Bible.

 

[christianyouth]

Originally posted by standingfirminChrist:
When We All Get To Heaven
Victory In Jesus
Tears Will Never Stain The Streets Of That City

Please, tell me how Victory In Jesus is wrong? I love that hymn

 

[standingfirminChrist]

It is a beautiful hymn, as are the others. But, they all have one thing in common. They say there are streets in heaven. The Bible does not say that. The Bible says, 'the street thereof...'. It is singular, not plural. There is only one street.

 

[christianyouth]

Ahh, ok thanks. I was worried for a moment, thought there was some large error in that song.
God Bless,
Andy

 

[standingfirminChrist]

I listen to the words of songs, and if they do not line up scripturally, I try to change them so they are more accurate.

For instance, change streets to street

 

[tinytim]

"Just a little talk with Jesus"

What in the world is a prayer wheel, and why is it turning?

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Tibetan Monks used a circular object they wrote prayers on.

Would that be like casting lots? What shall I pray for now. Hey Tim, spin that wheel please...

Prayer wheels are called Mani wheels by the Tibetans. A prayer wheel is a wheel on a spindle, and on the wheel are written or encapsulated prayers or mantras. According to the Tibetan Buddhist belief, spinning such a wheel will have much the same effect as orally reciting the prayers.

Prayer Wheel Wikipedia

 

[ccrobinson]

Hold the Fort by Philip Bliss


Verse 1:
Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

Refrain:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

Verse 2
See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!

Verse 3
See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.

Verse 4
Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!


In verse 2, the mighty host is advancing and Satan is leading them. Doesn't this contradict Matthew 16:18?

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.


Since when do the gates of hell march?

 

[TC]

Originally posted by musicforyou:
as many of you know there are some songs that are not completely correct doctrinally (i.e. jesus is coming soon).

some of these doctrinal errors are so close that it is hard to notice them unless you closely scrutinize each and every word.

if you discover a song such as this what actions should be taken to correct the doctrinal error?

It all depends on the situation. If the song is used in a worship service, then I would tell the pastor or song leader. When I am listening to the songs at home - while execising for example - I will do nothing as long as the error is not serious. I get my theology from the Bible and not from songs.

 

[SpiritualMadMan]

Yep... That's one song I absolutely will _NOT_ sing! ("Hold The Fort")

Nor, will it be sung in any church i might psator or lead singing at...

The picture of the church holed up behind some beseiged battlements....

Arrrrrggggghhhhhhhh!

 

[tinytim]

If I get $500 on the wheel, do I get to pick a letter and have Vanna turn it for me?

 

[musicforyou]

Hey guys, I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to reply I have not had access to the internet for a few days. I'm not picking on any specific song I am just asking the general question of what should be done for lyrics that are incorrect.

Oh, and by the way the doctrinal error in that song that I was referring to was "all of the 'dead' shall rise" it should be "dead in Christ". I had not thought about the other but thank you preach for bringing that to my attention.

 

[atestring]

Originally posted by ccrobinson:
Hold the Fort by Philip Bliss


Verse 1:
Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

Refrain:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

Verse 2
See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!

Verse 3
See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.

Verse 4
Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!


In verse 2, the mighty host is advancing and Satan is leading them. Doesn't this contradict Matthew 16:18?

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.


Since when do the gates of hell march?

My Grandmother was from the heart of the appalachian mountains in southeast virginia. The people there have an unusual accent.
For example the word pants is pronounced "paints" and there are many other examples but the best one is when a person "passes gas" it is refereed to as a "Fort".
When they sung "hold the Fort" in the mountains it left a different mental image in my mind especially when they sung mighty men around are falling or hear the trumpet blow, or fierce and long the battle rages but all hope is near It didn't seem very spiritual but it did entertain me.

 

[musicforyou]

Well please, by all means, "hold the fort". God bless your grandma. I'm originally from southwest Virginia too and it is a great place to live.

 

[ccrobinson]

I'm not picking on any specific song I am just asking the general question of what should be done for lyrics that are incorrect.

I don't think there is a blanket answer that covers every song with doctrinally unsound lyrics. Some lyrics to songs can be rewritten, but some can't and the song in question should simply be unused.

 

[rbell]

We could have never sung "hold the fort" in Southeast Alabama where I grew up.

The dialect would have made that song more about the need for beano in your medicine cabinet.

 

[ccrobinson]