Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Order in Music



By definition order is:
a methodical
arrangement
of things.


It could also be defined as a proper arrangement.

You could also say that it is similar to harmony
or symmetry.





"Good order is the foundation of all good things"
Burke

We can see that order is something God takes very seriously. We can see that from the story of Nadab and Abihu. We can also see order in God's creation or from His commands for order in His church. Order is something that is pleasing to God and is good. If we want our worship to be pleasing to God, then order should be a part of it.

2 Chronicles 5:13 says:
"Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord saying:

'For He is good For His mercy endures forever'

that the house the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud"

Notice, the trumpeters and singers were as one and made one sound. Also, the word voice is singular not plural. This verse is a clear example of order in thanking and praising God. To have multiple voices as one, takes a great deal of order and effort. The singers and trumpeters desire was for God to be glorified through their worship.

Psalm 92:3 says:
"On an instrument of ten strings,
On the lute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound."

How do you make harmonious sound? By being unskilled and putting no effort into it?
Of course you wouldn't. That would make some type of sound but I doubt it would be harmonious. In order to make a harmonious sound, order and effort would be involved. That would be expressed in practicing with the goal of glorifying God. As well as having everything properly arranged.

Let's think about this. Worship is an act of reverence. If worship to God is not done well, then obviously no effort was put into it. If no effort was involved, then the person who offered the worship does not show reverence for Whom the worship was offered to. What a terrifying thought!!!

I'll end with this verse and thought.

1 Chronicles 25:7

"So the number of them, with their
brethren who were instructed in the songs
of the Lord, all who were skillful, was
two hundred and eighty-eight."

Music being done by skillful musicians was and still is very important in worship. So important, that 288 musicians were trained just for that purpose. It seems to me that if it was that important to the Israelites, then it should be just as or even more important for us now.



3 comments:

AJSBookBlogger said...

Hi Doug! Another good post! :-)
One question though, if someone is still just learning music, and is not necessarily as skilled as an advanced musician, do you think they can still glorify God by not being the most skilled muscian and honor Him by giving them their best? Does this count for singers too? (i.e. people singing hymns in the morning church service) This of course doesn't negate our responsibilty to be the best musician/singer we can be and do it all for the glory of God. Your thoughts?
One other thing, I like your music selections...I may have to use them in my blog too! Hee! Have a good day! Amanda :-)

Doug said...

Yes, I do believe that a beginner in music can glorify God. What seems to matter most is the effort and devotion put into it. Because the effort and devotion reflect the musicians heart and love for God. If someone is very skillful but doesn't put any effort into it then it wouldn't be pleasing at all. I also believe that this applies to all praise offered to God through music.

I'm surprised you like Foggy Mountain Breakdown....

AJSBookBlogger said...

Thanks for the response and I agree with you. :-)

Ahem, I liked all the songs, except for that one...:-)

Amanda :-)