Worship songs: discerning the best

TROWEL & SWORD

Resources - Leadership

September 2001

SWORD DEFENDING

Worship songs: discerning the best

Rev David Groenenboom

When the Lord spoke through Malachi, it was not simply because Israel was not giving a full tithe (Mal.3:6-10) but also because they were not giving Him the very best (Mal.1:6-14). God deserves our very best. But note: this is ‘best’ in the eyes of God and what is ‘best’ in the Lord’s eyes may not necessarily be ‘best’ in the eyes of the world.

If we were to impose the world’s values on worship, then we would have to say that ‘best’ is defined by slick production, big sound, 40-voice chorus/chorale, and a crowd of 1500 starters. We would want a textbook preacher who could give punchy sermons built on precise exegesis, that deliver profound application, which prick the conscience and produce life-change from the hearers.

Understand: none of these things are wrong in themselves. But this is not where we start defining what is ‘best’ – otherwise what hope would the struggling little congregation at Green Pastures CRC have? They only have a blue rinse, tremolo enhanced 5-voice choir, the reed organ, the 45 people (many of them still with too much of God’s earth under their fingernails), with the noisy 4 year old, and a lazy dog that wanders in and out. What hope for the even ‘better positioned’ suburban fellowship of 250, who have a bit of a music team, whose preacher hits the nail on the head most times, who struggle with their witness, and who have tired, overworked leaders? If ‘best’ is defined on the unredeemed principles of the world, what hope does any CRCA congregation have?

The Scriptures, however, help us see ‘best’ through God’s eyes. Well-heeled Jerusalem financiers could pour their shekels into Temple Treasury, enough to give any high priest laugh lines around his pockets. Everyday worshippers would do their bit to supply the needs of priest and Levite. But ‘best’ in the eyes of the Lord came with a widow who only gave a couple of dollars (Mark 12:41-44). What made it ‘best’? It was that she gave her all, everything she had, as contrasted with those who gave what they could afford, and out of what they supposedly did not need.

Now, apply this to worship, and keep in mind that we’re focussing on the songs we use. It is clear that the Lord delights in the best things His people have to bring to Him. ‘Best’ is when the hearts of the Lord’s people are focussed on doing what He desires. ‘Best’ is when, although their resources may be small, and their skills unpolished, they still give their all. Not necessarily in terms of intensity, volume, or musical competency – but their heart – their desire to please God and proclaim His worth. ‘Best’ is when they walk away and say, “We couldn’t have done it any better.”

God knows our resources – He gave them to us in the first place. He will not ask us to bring something we cannot. He only asks us to bring the best we can. With such worship God is pleased.

When we apply this to songs and singing, then personal attitude is not the only consideration. If we are to discern what songs are ‘best’ in worship we also need to ask:

Does it fit with what the Bible says? While there is always some leeway for poetic licence, this is no excuse for sloppy theology (see the May T&S). Whether we’re talking Rejoysing-2, Book of Worship, Hillsong, Parachute Music or Matthias Media, the songs we use must be faithful to what Scripture teaches. And since we’re serious about our confessions, the songs we sing should harmonise with how our beliefs are expressed in these statements of faith.
Does it state the Gospel clearly (or) is it in harmony with the Gospel? Of course, not every song speaks of Jesus Christ’ mission or His Cross and Resurrection. Even so, any song that undermines salvation by grace alone, or implies that human deeds make us acceptable to God is definitely out. Anything that speaks of our worship “bringing God’s presence near/down” or being more acceptable because of what we do is contra Gospel. Such songs have no place in Christian worship.
Does it lead people to maturity in Christ? Do the songs we sing lead people to faith expression? Do they deepen their response, and open their ‘faith eyes’ wider? That is, our worship songs should in some way ‘stretch us’, and get us looking beyond the daily grind of where we find ourselves. One that comes quite readily to mind is Geoff Bullock’s “We Proclaim Your Kingdom” – where in a manner reminiscent of the Psalmist, God’s people move from what they see in creation to proclaiming Christ as King. It’s written as praise and celebration of the goodness and love of Jesus the Creator-King.

Irrespective of whether your congregation uses more traditional, or more contemporary, or a blended approach, your worship songs need to meet these criteria.

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