With the voice of Singing-Part 1
In this section I am making a connection between
prayer and songs. Prayers are heart felt expression of our desires to God, and
it is so with songs, and the only addition would be the music.
When we carefully analyze the Church History, we come to the
conclusion that Music played a major role in the worship services and it is a
form of Prayer. After the Great Schism, music in Western Christianity took new
beginnings and it was the beginning of the Polyphonic music around 11th
century. During the Renaissance period music changed dramatically and the major
and the minor modes in music were implied by the use of triad. History also
reveals that the problems the Church faced then were the problems we face and
experience today. There were continuous conflict between the Christian and
pagan cultures then as we experience
today and in spite of these conflicts, the Church music with the rich culture
and heritage of ‘Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs’ of Jewish tradition
continued to develop. We have to come to the conclusion that the Sovereign God
of the Universe was orchestrating the events around and the rich culture of
Prayer and Songs came into in spite of opposition.
We can easily come to this conclusion that the early churches were
a singing church and their prayers were in the form of a chant. In other words
that Songs were not an accompaniment to worship, instead singing is worship
itself, and they were singing a form of prayer to the God who dwells in the
praises of mankind. We may not be able to find the early manuscripts but
logically we can construct music, something very similar by learning the
principles of Psalmody and by borrowing from the oral tradition we can create
our own hymns, prayers, spiritual songs to enable our worship services. This
may very well be used for congregational music.
Having lived in different countries around the Globe like
Singapore, Malaysia, India, United Kingdom, United States and Canada I come to
the conclusion Music varies, but one common music in worship services were the
Hymns. Christian music whether East or West has been handed down through
centuries in spite of their cultural and different styles. In other words
Christians around the Globe whether they are from the East or the West had been
using Songs, a form of prayer in their worship services, and it is a form of
expressing the heart’s desire of mankind to the Living God who dwells in the
unapproachable light. Whether it is Psaltery, hymnody, liturgy, chorale,
oratorio, cantata, or sacred anthems, they reveal the inner man, the heart of
man to the Living God and this is a form of Prayer and it is a form of building
relationship to the Living God.
We get Scriptural ideals and precedents when we look at the music
of Hebrews and also Indians. India is a Hindu Nation, and early morning they
chant their Hindu Scriptures, in the form of music and that is their prayer. If
you happen to be in one of the primary classes in India, memorizing poetry is
taught in the form of music and this is one way where students retained in
their memory quickly. Here I am comparing a Christian culture with a pagan
tradition, where they both enjoy music and singing is a form of prayer and
worship. For Hebrews, music is primarily vocal and that is servant of the Word
and it is very ideal to say expressing from their heart. For example certain
portions of their Scriptures like Magnificat, Lord’s Prayer, Phil 2:5-11, are
sung from very early times and it still exists. In those days, as in the Old
Testament days, Temple instruments were talked about and much less about tunes,
and after the destruction of the Temple Music was subdued.
In the early days usually voices did not accompany instruments;
and very often trumpets, and shofars are used to bring order in a public place
and also to lead a procession. Very often harps are used to enhance worship
along with some other sweet stringed instruments both for Hebrew music and also
for pagan music. Very often they sang Scriptures, worship songs and hours of
prayer were observed, even singing at the Lord’s Table seemed to be the norm.
Churches and synagogues shunned the pagan, sensual music, and singing with one
voice the Scriptures; and choirs became part of the worship later.
[Three categories of
sacred song were mentioned: “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”
a. Psalms: Their
music based on simple melodic patterns called tetrachords.
1. Sung
antiphonally.
2. Sung in unison.
3. “Lined”.
4. Used
responsively.
5. Used
for personal devotion; even young Christians were expected to
know them
by head.
6. Used
extensively within the services.]1
www.songsofpeace.com/ncmcmusic/history_of_Music.htm
We have found that the
Early Church was a singing church - that song was not an ...
This brief outline of the history of Christian music
though the 19th century is ... “Hours of Prayer” were observed, and the Psalms were the “prayerbook”. a. ... Throughout “Christendom” the rites were
varied, especially in pre-Nicene times. b.
There are fourteen psalms that were written by David to commemorate some
event in his life. And I want to mention about Psalm 51; which is probably one
of the best known of David’s songs and there is little difficulty in placing it
within the context of his life. When we read 2 Samuel 12, it talks about
David’s adultery with Bathsheba, who is the wife of his beloved servant Uriah,
the Hittite. David thought no one knows about the sin he has committed with
Bathsheba, until Prophet Nathan when he came and confronted him. The beautiful
part of the story is when David repented of his sin and wickedness he has
committed which is not only adultery but also murder of his beloved servant
Uriah. This psalm not only expresses his deep sorrow over his sin but his
repentance and his lament over his sin. This story itself is a prayer unto God,
and also his repentance is a beautiful format of prayer. When music is
introduced into these words, it can be sung and it is still a beautiful prayer.
Psalm 131; is the song of the Humble;
and is below and it is a prayer.
1Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither
do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2 Surely I
have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my
soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let
Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and forever.
There are seventy-three other Psalm
written by David which are indeed prayer from his heart and they are below:
3 Confidence facing the enemy; 4 Thoughts in the night; 5 A morning
prayer; 6 Prayer for mercy during trouble; 7 The prayer of a wronged man; 8
God’s glory and man’s honour; 9 Praise for deliverance; 11 God our refuge; 12
Good thoughts for bad times; 13 The deserted soul; 14 The future of the fool; 15
The happiness of the holy; 16 Joy in God’s presence; 17 Deliverance from the
wicked; 18 Calling upon God in distress; 19 The works and word of God; 20 A
prayer for the king
21 Splendour and success of the king; 22 Psalm of the Cross / Hind of the
morning;23 The Shepherd Psalm; 24 Song to the King of Glory; 25 Prayer for
guidance and protection; 26 The basis of judgement; 27 David’s song of
confidence; 28 A prayer for help; 29 Song of the thunderstorm; 30 Dedication of
the temple site; 31 My times are in Thy hands; 32 A prayer during distress; 34
A psalm of praise and trust; 35 A plea for judgement; 36 Wickedness confronts
God’s love; 37 Blessings to the righteous; 38 The burden of suffering; 39 In
time of trouble; 40 Delight in the will of God.
41 Psalm of the compassionate; 51 The Penitent’s Psalm; 52 The fate of
the wicked; 53 The fate of the fool; 54 A prayer for deliverance; 55 The Lord
will sustain; 56 A song for the distressed; 57 The mercy and truth of God; 58
The punishment of the wicked; 59 Triumph over enemies; 60 Prayer for national
deliverance; 61 The prayer of a troubled heart; 62 Confidence in God; 63 The
thirsty soul; 64 Appeal for help against enemies; 65 God’s provisions for the
earth; 66 God’s power and works; 68 The God of Israel; 69 The prayer for
deliverance; 70 Deliverance from persecutors; 86 Prayer for deliverance; 101 A
perfect heart; 103 The benefits of the Lord; 108 A song of confidence in God; 109
A cry to God for help; 110 The king as priest and victor; 122 The peace of
Jerusalem; 124 God’s deliverance; 131 A song of the humble; 138 The Lord is
Faithful; 139 The prayer of a believing heart; 140 For protection against
enemies; 141 Conduct amidst trials; 142 The Prisoner’s prayer; 143 The prayer
of the soul in distress; 144 The warrior’s psalm; 145 The goodness of the Lord.
www.lwbc.co.uk/davids_psalms.htm
The Psalms Written By David. There are fourteen psalms that were written by Davidto commemorate some
event in his life. These are: Psalm 59. King Saul, in ...
Website
References:
www.songsofpeace.com/ncmcmusic/history_of_Music.htm
We have found that the
Early Church was a singing church - that song was not an ...
This brief outline of the history of Christian music
though the 19th century is ... “Hours of Prayer” were observed, and the Psalms were the “prayerbook”. a. ... Throughout “Christendom” the rites were
varied, especially in pre-Nicene times. b.
justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/276.html
One of the great
treasures of the Christian church is its hymns, and one of the
greatest... remembers three outstanding hymn-writers from Germany in the 1600's. ... to the Marriage Feast (Matthew 25:1-13), and of
the Song of Triumph in
Heaven .... Johann Heermann, Paul Gerhardt, and Joachim Neander; and
we pray that .
www.lwbc.co.uk/davids_psalms.htm
The Psalms Written By David. There are fourteen psalms that were written by Davidto commemorate some
event in his life. These are: Psalm 59. King Saul, in ...
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song
Simple Definition of song. : a short piece of music with words that are
sung. : the act of singing. : a series of musical sounds that are produced by a
bird or an animal (such as a whale)
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