Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; I. THE DESIGN OF PUBLIC WORSHIP MAY BE LEARNED FROM THE WORD "WORSHIP" ITSELF. Good etymologists are agreed that it is composed of the noun "worth" and the suffix "ship," forming worth-ship; contracted, "worship." The verb "to worship," accordingly, signifies to ascribe worth. John describes an act of worship, when he represents the elders falling down before the throne and saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power." Worship essentially consists of holy emotions inspired in the soul by the contemplation of God. Worship is complete when these emotions are expressed in the most natural and suitable form. 1. There is in the constitution of our nature a necessity for the expression of emotion. We cannot subdue expression any more than we can subdue emotion. 2. Audible worship is enjoined. 3. We have Divine example. Jesus prayed audibly. He sang with His disciples at the Holy Supper. 4. We have example furnished by the apostles in their writings, and in the records of early Church historians, and profane writers. 5. We have the continued example of the early Church for centuries, and the unbroken observance of vocal worship by the universal Church unto this day. 6. There is, however, a reason for audible worship that is alone decisive. Without audible prayer and praise, there can be no social worship. II. WHAT PART DOES MUSIC PERFORM IN THIS WORSHIP? We have seen that worship is the expression to God of holy affections. Music is the highest form of emotional utterance, and therefore becomes a necessary instrument of worship. The child sings as naturally as it talks — it often sings before it can speak. Man everywhere has made for himself the art of song, however rude and imperfect. Religious emotion is the highest that fills the soul. Its inspiring source is the grandest, the sublimest, the only perfect, the infinite object of contemplation. Religious feeling, therefore, demands the most expressive form of utterance. The worship which consists of the speaking forth to God of oar highest and holiest affections, must have the service of song. III. SOCIAL WORSHIP IS THE EXPRESSION TO GOD OF COMMON AFFECTIONS BY UNITED WORSHIPPERS, AND THE UTTERANCE OF FEELING BY ONE TO ANOTHER. 1. Preparation is needful to the proper employment of this part of worship. If you do not meditate upon God as He is revealed, your soul will. 2. The psalms and hymns that we sing should express correct thought and true feeling, and we should use such of these as truthfully express our own sentiments and emotions. To remedy the evil of untruthful singing, the hymn book should be made a study. 3. Sacred music should be simple and familiar. 4. All the worshippers should unite in the singing. (J. T. Duryea.) Parallel Verses KJV: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; |
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