Joyful Noise unto the LORD!

I have contemplated doing this post, but know the controversy over this topic.  My wife showed me an article over the weekend on her facebook account from the Rev. Billy Graham.  In the article someone had written to him about going to speak to their pastor about some new music that was being used in the church, which they did not like and did not think appropriate.  I could never come close to answering this question as eloquently as he did, but I have dealt with this question most of my life.

I believe that like with everything else we need to go to the scriptures.  I think Psalms 100 is a good place to start, The topic of this post, came from this verse.  I have heard people say they liked the word noise in this verse, since some people consider the new styles of music to be noise.

There are so many verses in Psalms about singing.  It would seem there is no distinction in the Bible concerning the type of music you sing to the Lord, but there are clear guidance I believe regarding the lyrics and the way you sing unto the Lord. I personally love the traditional hymnals, I also love what is considered southern gospel and gospel music like quartets, and I love modern praise and worship music.  I don’t think too many people would have any issue with the music I listed, except the modern praise and worship music.

Why is the new music not making a joyful noise unto the Lord?  I know some old timers like me may remember, but there was a video by Carmen, entitled “1955”,  where the pastor mentioned there were issues because someone placed drums behind the pulpit and someone else was bringing an electric guitar and wanted to plug it in.  That was a great video for church unity and revival, but there are many that did not like Carmen’s style of music either.

I have listened to non-traditional Christian music most of my life.  I remember constantly having to answer to my mother and leaders in the church as to why I would listen to such “garbage” and “evil music” as “Petra”, “Whiteheart”, “Phil Keaggy” and many others.  At the same time, I would sit in church and hear sermons with the same words as songs from Petra that I had been listening to.  I would think how can this music be “evil” when it is quoting words straight out of the Bible.  I am still a fan of Petra’s music by the way, and my wife has always been as well.

I also listen to many newer contemporary Christian music groups and singers.  I am partial to worship groups such as “Third Day”.  The first Christian concert my wife and I attended after we were married was a Third Day concert in St. Louis, MO.  They were still early in their career then, but the concert was in a large church, and the building was packed.  The concert was shortly after the “Offerings” album came out, and most of the songs were from that album.  My wife and I really enjoyed the concert as we met many other Christians around us and we were singing words about praising God and worshipping him. We were joyful and singing praises!  At the end of the concert there was an invitation for any who did not know our Lord and Saviour to come forward.  Wow, there were so many people go forward that night.  I don’t know about many of you, but this sounds like a revival to me, and how many of us have been in a church service where literally hundreds of people go forward to the altar after the service.

I watched large revivals on TV growing up, when the Rev. Billy Graham had his crusades.  I don’t remember seeing anything like them in recent times.  I have attended  two Third Day concerts this past year, there are no invitations anymore apparently, or that was because they were in a church then, but one of the concerts was at an outside stadium and I felt more like I was in a church service than I have been in some actual churches. I was praising God with my entire family.

How is it that this music is “evil” or “wrong”.  I personally don’t think it is.  I also love to listen to groups like the “Kingsmen” and the “Cathedrals”.  I recently purchased a box set of the Gaither Homecoming Specials, wow I could listen and watch those all day.  I don’t think we can confuse the people singing some of these songs with the songs themselves or how or why we sing them.

I think one of the most devastating things in my wife’s life was when her favorite Christian singer had an affair on her husband and got divorced.  My wife has not listened to her music since then.  We have all sinned, and we are all sinners. Many of the people who sing these songs may do things we may not like. We should be singing the praise to God and the words of the songs matter. I have studied and know some of the Hymnal writers were not without their own sins.  But the question is do the lyrics praise and glorify God and are we joyful when WE sing them.

I believe this topic like all others, is one where everyone needs to be right with God regarding.  If you don’t believe the newer music is making a joyful noise unto the Lord, then that is between you and God, but others may not feel this way.  I have seen churches that have two different services, one with praise and worship music, and one with traditional hymnals.  I think this will help those that don’t feel they can worship with the other music,  but is that the answer?

I have known fellow Christians who do not like singing hymnals in church as they feel it is just a motion people go through and it is not joyful or praising.  I usually have a smile on my face when I am singing hymnals in church and usually enjoy it.  I look around though and see a wide variety of emotions, but most people look like they just want it over.  I don’t see that very much at a praise and worship service.  Maybe we need to be more joyful, and in the right heart when we sing hymnals.

I personally like all types of Christian music, if it is making a joyful noise unto the Lord.  I go back to my church post in that we all need to worship in our own ways, but we need to come together in unity.  I don’t have an issue at all going to church and singing hymns with joy, and then going to my vehicle in the parking lot and turning on “K love” radio.  I am not endorsing anything again, but listening to “K love” radio, or other Christian radio everyday instead of the secular radio stations many of us listen too, may make a difference in your life.

I listen to certain songs on Sunday mornings to help me get into the right spirit before I go to church.  Those song are usually contemporary Christian songs, and they help me draw nigh to God, I hope and pray you have joyful songs you come before God with, and we shall all sing and worship before His throne one day.  In Christ.