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A Christian writer answering the complaints of a friend that
religion is inept, ineffective and dull wrote:
"When you watch religion at work you find a morality;
when you converse with it in thoughtful mood, you find
a philosophy; but when you touch the heart of religion
you find a song."
The church by its services and song books, has underlined
the points - God is worshipped in music, psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs which express the moods and the needs of worshippers;
music and singing a large part of Christian experience, witness
and work.
That applies whether the faith is expressed in words and
music of deep theological thought, intensity of emotion and
complexity of form or in the simple lyrics and tunes of the
gospel service, exciting and satisfying.
People often express their feelings in the songs of their
times and circumstances, and religious music and song has
contributed considerably to that treasure trove of music grave
and gay. Indeed some psalms and hymns are best loved and most
sung.
The Church has a deep indebtedness to those of the far past
and the near present who lend singable words with singable
music. They provide for us a way of saying things that are
at once pleasing to the ear and meaningful to the mind and
heart. And that is the constant reminder that "A song
will outlive all sermons in the memory."
Two men among very many psalmists and hymnists who gave us
our Christian music are David, "the sweet Psalmist of
Israel" and the much lesser known Englishman Caedmon.
It was Caedmon who led the way in singing religion in these
islands.
According to the historian, the Venerable Bede, he was a
labourer in the monastery at Whitby. There he received, in
a vision, the gift of composing verses in praise of God. He
became a monk and turned the scriptures into verse. In the
monastery then there were men of abilities and specialities
but it was the quiet man of no special talent and no knowledge
of versifying who was the one chosen to sing the scriptures.
And that remains an effective way to make people aware of
God and His claims on their lives.
Because singing is integral to the worship of the church
it is important to ensure that what is sung is meaningful
to the singers and relevant to them. It is easy to sing words
and music meaninglessly. To have the rhythm of sound without
the message it is meant to convey. There must be clarity in
the singing, a clear hearing of the words of a song, for it
is the lyrics more than the music which matters to people.
While Christian music and song is from all the ages, and
there are many good new hymns and spiritual songs of today
some hymns have an enduring quality which makes them timeless
and relevant in every age. You may have your old favourites
I have many, too, but a few come quickly to mind, "There
is a green hill," "When I survey the wondrous cross."
"Abide with me", "What a friend we have in
Jesus," and, of course, the 23rd Psalm.
Our singing is effective when they express the depths of
emotion, our indebtedness to Christ and the love of God. Most
inspiring in the services of the church is the congregation
singing as with one voice the songs of the faith when they
express the joy which comes from faith in Jesus Christ.
When Paul wrote about rejoicing in the Lord we are reminded
that that is well done in singing praises to our God. It is
saying that the faith brings happiness, contentment and joy
to the believer.
Pascal said: "Happiness is neither within us nor
without us, it is the union of ourselves with God."
Rev. Canon Dr. S.E. Long
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