Music in the worship service.

The content of the music we sing at church matters. The hymns we sing should be biblically and theologically driven. Thus, the hymns we sing should reflect our belief in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (ESV) Also, Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”

It is not music that makes a church service a worship service. However, since it is God whom we want to worship, the only way we can do that through the vehicle of music is to be certain the content of what we sing (the words of the music - the lyrics) is filled with sound doctrine that flows from the word of God. It is through God’s Word that He reveals Himself to us and draws us closer to Him – that is worship!

Music is a great tool for teaching the Word of God. Music is a way for us to memorize scripture, to sing about the glories of God, to tell the story of Jesus and His sacrifice, to uplift those who are down and help calm their spirits. All this cannot be done unless it is the profound truth of the word of God that we sing. Or at least, the message that we are singing should be clearly drawn from the word of God. It is the Word of God, alone, that can do all of this and more. The hymn writers are in fact preparing sermons when they write.

My hope is that as we serve through music, we can proclaim God's word and His grace. He speaks through the Bible. He teaches us, He trains us in righteousness, He correct us, He encourages us. God's Word points us to Jesus. So as we sing and participate in the worship service, may God help us sing hymns that are filled with God's Word and truth.