Praise and Worship Music
O Elohim, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have related to us, the work You did in their days, in the days of old. Psalm 44:1 ISR
The work You did – I must confess. I can’t hold it in any longer. The current praise and worship music drives me crazy. It sounds like soap-opera love songs to Jesus. If I hear one more chorus of “like a rose trampled on the ground,” I think I’ll just turn up the volume on “Get Back.” When I recently preached at Glad Tidings Tabernacle in New York City, I interlaced songs from Janis Joplin into the message about dysfunctional families and Adam and Eve. I just couldn’t endure the standard three repetitions of the ending chorus of popular Christian music or the syrupy lyrics of force-fitting biblical translations into contemporary rhythms. I wanted the congregation to know that the music of the world is filled with cries for God – and real truth about the human condition. Maybe that’s why I love the blues.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t like the wonder and elegance of biblical lyrics and poetry. This verse is a splendid example of what happens when we remove the translation and hear the verse in its original language. Listen to this. What you will hear is a repetition of the suffix ending nu, alliterations of fe, rhyming of hem, dem, and nice little phonetic plays like ata yadha – all in the first two verses.
Rather than try to examine all the intricacies of this poetic tour-de-force, let’s concentrate on only one small example of David’s incredible mastery. The phrase “the work You did” in Hebrew becomes a marvelous word play, po-al pa-al-ta. Even visually the phrase is arresting with the repetition of the consonants Pey-Ayin-Lamed, Pey-Ayin-Lamed-Tau. “Work You worked” is a better way to capture what is happening in Hebrew, although it doesn’t look very elegant in English. And that’s the trouble. Most of the exquisite poetic constructions of the Hebrew psalms vanish in translation. So it’s not surprising that singing praise and worship music based on the translated passages lacks the poetic impact and seems forced. Wouldn’t it be better to simply teach the psalms as they were written in Hebrew? Isn’t that how we learned language in the first place, by reciting rhymes and signing songs?
Now let’s think about the message in this little word play. “Work You worked” tells us about the history of God’s interaction with His people. Didn’t we hear with our own ears those great stories about YHWH’s interventions? (You might ask why it is necessary to say “hear with our ears”? How else does one hear?) Don’t we have a legacy to lean on? Haven’t we been instructed in God’s compassion, rescue and deliverance? (There’s another poetic construction going on here beneath the surface. It’s called parallelism – but that’s for another day). If we come to God without His authorized history, we will be faced with a confusing mess. How will we know what God can do unless we know what God did? Those stories aren’t simply Sunday school attention-getters. They are our vital connection to the one true God. We are expected to know them – and know them very well. They give us hope when life turns sour. They remind us of His care when we are crushed. They point to His character when our character wavers. “The work You worked” covers everything from creation to regeneration. Time and again the poetry of the Psalms reaches back to the legacy of the works. How can you read David’s marvelous poetry if you don’t know what he’s talking about? How can the Psalms speak to you if the history of God’s interaction with Israel isn’t your history?
Topical Index: work, poal, poetry, praise and worship music, Psalm 44:1
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Skip, I have the answer for your love of music….listen to the Australian group ‘Sons of Korah’. They have put Pslams to music…. they are wonderful. Go to SonsofKorah.com and hear for yourself. I feel to tell you that the albums ‘Redemption’ and ‘Resurrection’ are the ones you should order! They are in English, yes! But they are straight scripture with excellent accompanying music…some with a bluesy Middle Eastern falvour.
Psalm 40 and 121 are two of my favourites on the Redemption album. These Psalms to music have kept me going whilst I sit here with nothing shifting and clinging to his faithfulness and the words he spoke to me so many years ago. Listening to this music I am transported in time as I remember God’s interaction with Israel and all he has said, is doing and will do both there, here and everywhere.
Be blessed
Christine
So right, Christine. I was in a Christian bookstore several years ago and heard music in the background and HAD to have it. Not quite certain which project it’s on at the moment, but I am taken by Psalm 80. This is my heart’s cry: for the promise of YHWH’s full restoration to be fulfilled.
The Scripture set to the acoustic melodies are phenomenal. Very talented and gifted artists for sure.
Thank you. I will check it out for sure. I only wish Eric Clapton wrote redeeming melodies.
Yes…they are not Eric C…also a favourite artist nor are they Van Morrison…another favourite but I believe they have a true annointing as they sing the ‘man after God’s own heart’ words of desparation, tradgedy, love, joy, faithfullness and sheer rock solid faith in YHWH despite seemingly unsurmountable obstacles! What a man he was!!
So glad you like them Mary. Yes Psalm 80 yes vs 19 + 20
‘So we will not go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon they name. Turn us again O Lord God of hosts, cause they face to shine; and we shall be saved’. Amen
psalm 137 is another one brilliantly choriographed Psalm by them.
As you are just waking up this morning (USA) may this be your shield for today as it speaks of the faithfullness of YHWH wherever we are in the world.
http://youtu.be/YvhWTWpNWL0
Christine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPzJ8U1hd94
Psalm 117 recorded by Sons of Korah. Enjoy!
Thanks. I actually liked this one. Amazing. Maybe there’s hope for me yet.
Skip,
For a bit of fun, check this one out…
http://youtu.be/LWUrFF6dNNo
You and I have very similar musical tastes – I think you’ll like this one :-).
This one is brilliant – Sons of Korah, Ps 125. Check out the guitar solo on the intro…
http://youtu.be/qxDrjSrzSvU
A awesome singer of Psalms and a “Jew Born Anew” is Marty Goetz. To listen to Marty in person is to feel like you are worshipping in the presence of God……Shalom
Do you like liver and onions? Me too!..er… no way.. How about chocolate? -There are people in this world who do not like chocolate!- Imagine that!..
Psalm 95:2 “Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” “Joining with one another in holy songs of praise and of the Spirit, using your voice in songs and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Ephesians 5.19)
Bottom line?- “May Jesus Christ be praised?” What is my motive in singing these songs?
I like the bumper sticker that says: “if it glorifies Jesus- do it.” I have a question about the song you are listening to and soon will be repeating and replaying in the voice recorder known as your mind- Does this glorify, exalt, praise, and cause thanksgiving toward our Savior? Does this “feel-good” music help or hinder in my walk with G-d? Does this cause me to “worship the King all glorious above and gratefully sing His wonderful love?”
Musical tastes are as varied as “can be knows how to be.” From blues to be-bop. From country to screamo. (screamo?- gag-a-maggot!). We serve a G-d of infinite variety, tremendous diversity and wonderful unity.
The songs of the South (y’all) might make a scrapple lover gag. (Y’all know what ‘scrapple’ is?) Some are bluegrass (liver) lovers,-others detest this. Does this music bring me closer into His presence? Please discriminate and do so ferociously. Why?- “Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale.. a tale of a tiny ship-five passengers set sail that day on a three hour trip.. a three hour trip.” Because dear friends, “what’s down in the well is gonna come up in the bucket.”
Let us remember the “command” found in Philippians 4.8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” If it glorifies Jesus- do it.”
Is this found in the Torah of YHWH? “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of G-d, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10.5).
Do you want a “list” of good music? -I’ll not give you one, neither will I recommend liver and onions, or Krispy Kreme donuts. Just ask yourselves- does this lift up the name of the Messiah? Not all things edify or build up. Learn to discriminate ferociously. Say yes to this and no to that. We may pick and choose our thoughts the same way we pick and choose our friends. “Eat that which is good” and that includes the music we listen to. Rock 103 is not on my “good guy” list. Neither is Kix 106 all country- ‘boot scootin boogy’ music.
Sing the blues and it won’t be long you’ll be singing the blues. “Mood Indigo.” My friends, listen: “give ear” Pause and reflect.. Listen and remember. Shema (combined with a ‘selah!’) “It is a GOOD THING (sorry for the shout) to give thanks unto the LORD and to sing praises unto His Name.” It is a good thing. It is a good thing. It is a good thing. If Martha Stewart or Oprah said this- would we listen? What if G-d said this? (“It is written..” ) -Psalm 92.1
Absolutely wonderful message Skip! And the song lifts the spirit and entangles the soul into its ascent!
Shalom shalom shalom 🙂
Pam
In Ancient Footsteps
Passion for Truth
Dear Skip. Im grateful that you are home safely and on the go again. Thank you for your two letters. My eldest son went to a Mightly Men Conference in Pretoria once and I spent hours on my knees for him to have a breakthrough. Eventualy I heard along the grapevine that he did not appreciate the praise and worship at all. According to him the lead singer was false and the way they kept on repeating the choirs – that just irritated him so much. I was so disappointed but the Sunday when he came back I went to greet him. I asked him how it was and he said no it was wonderful. I asked him about the P&W and he said no that was bad. I softly answered:
Dont worry, that only means that you will not be in the Worship Team in Heaven one day. He knotted his head and jerked his neck around as I passed him “What did you just say Mom?” I said “It just means you wont be in the Worship Team in Heaven one day. He was shocked and thought for a while and said “Ok Ill work on it”.
Worship comes from the heart. And it is meant for Him not us. But I also sometimes disapprove of gospel music when it is used to make money and not to glorify our Sovereign God. Regards E
Sorry my son nodded. Not knotted. Blonde moment.
Even Redheads and Brunettes have moments like this. 🙂
Oh my gosh, I thought I was the only one who thinks “if I have to sing Hold me Close Put Your arms around me” one more time I’m going to throw up 🙂 Hey, Skip, once in a while I get my rabbi to play Stairway to Heaven on his guitar for me. Our synagogue is going through changes with our music. Our “worship team” (oy, that term drives me nuts) is now playing almost the entire Hebrew liturgy we use and they rarely do Christian top-40 songs anymore. They also will play Messianic or Jewish songs and it’s made a big difference. There’s just something about singing in Hebrew that helps me connect more to Adonai (even if I don’t know the meaning of the words, somehow it’s just different).
I’m going to check out Sons of Korah. I listen to Paul Wilbur all the time and there’s also some great neo-Chassidic music being produced these days in Israel and the US. It’s amazing how anointed some of the new Jewish music is these days and that’s without knowing Yeshua (i.e. Yehuda Green).
“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15.7,8)
His words do bring things back into focus:
“Examine me, O G-d, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts and see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139.24,25)
I have to say, the “formula” used in 90% of P&W music is getting old. There isn’t that much “NEW” out there. But, I can’t condemn the ones who pour their heart out during P&W and beg for more of Him. I used to be that girl. I KNEW there had to be more than what I was experiencing of Him. My prayers and worship seemed to hit a ceiling every time. I had gone as deep into the “experience” that I felt I could go. I begged for MORE of Him. ( I still do that, btw) Then like scales falling from my eyes, it happened one day. I realized WHO I was in Him. I found the path to His ways in His Torah. I knew the feasts were for me too. I knew that what He said to Israel was for me too. I recognized that I worshipped the God of Israel. There was something very REAL and powerful in that understanding. I didn’t understand it all, and still don’t know all the in’s and out’s but I KNOW that KNOW I am on the right path….His path. The path to life. So when I see people with passion crying out for more of Him, I am filled with compassion. I ask God to show them the way to Him. I ask God to help me communicate truth in love to those He brings my way. Oh, and I still crank up the P&W and sing my heart out, but now I feel I connect to Him like I never did before. Paul Wilbur’s “The Watchman” is one of my all time favorites.
You have captured it exactly.
I like listening to Misty Edwards (I think that’s her name). Her music isn’t formulaic and actually reminds me of the Psalms in the way that it moves through the song.
There’s not enough paper in my printer or on my shelf to contain the criticisms and stories I’ve compiled over the last 50 years concerning the “church” and her relentless showmanship and sensationalism. I’m not prejudiced; I can’t be. I’m one of the family; not an outsider. So I not only have a right, but a responsibility to speak out when a member of my clan is out of line. However, this creates for me a dilemma. Being such an insightful critique that I am, I sometimes find my self alone. I have been so vocal either many can’t stand to be around me or I have so enumerated the church’s shortcomings that there is nothing left. All the sermons seem shallow, so why listen to the preaching? All the prayers seem self-serving so why pray? All the songs sound “syrupy” so why sing? All the praise seems to be a mere performance, so why lift my hands and exclaim hallelujah? My family goes to church while I sit home alone with my Hebrew Bible. It’s no fun being right.
How do you think Yeshua felt. Have you ever been in a classroom of beginning guitarists? Oh how He loves us!!
Ah, my friend, but you have all of us. I am so glad you are my friend, my compatriot, one who comes on the journey with me. The consistent cry of my readers is “I’m all alone.” But none are since there are others all over the world who also know that there is more, there must be more.
Hi Roderick,
I “feel” the unfun part also. Continue praying for the Ruach to rest upon your family. This is my daily prayer for my husband, daughter. My husband came from a churched family, I raised my daughter in church (far different from my upbringing). My husband listens when I talk with him, but he is not ready to leave the church, and is not inclined to “law keeping”. My daughter (and son-in-law who is employed by a megachurch ) thinks I am crazy. We do talk about the Scriptures and I trust YHWH to do what only He can do…to work in their hearts (and mine!). For those unwilling to compromise the Word, those willing to be taught, Retrained, and please YHWH, no promises of good times were given, except through obedience and perseverance. Meanwhile, I ask Father for likeminded fellowship with other uncompromising believers and wait. Many times I have been encouraged by the sincerity of hearts here. Grace and peace, brother Roderick.
I understand how you feel, to some extent. I get frustrated listening to sermons that seem to be a rewrite of the same old stuff. And I know how the prayers seem to be paltry. And I sing on the “worship team” at my church, so I see the other side of the stage every week.
I know that for me (and probably most of the rest of the people who lead with me) my focus is on the words of the song and it becomes a prayer back to God. For me, at least, it’s not performance. It’s prayer. I don’t particularly like all the songs we sing because some of the them do have a strong replacement theology behind them, but many are heartfelt cries to God. I guess it depends on what your church sings. I can’t stand the stuff on the radio because all it is seems to be “here’s my story.” Kind of like country music, but throwing God in there. I prefer stuff by bands like Hillsong United, Fireflight, Pocket Full of Rocks, and others who sing more about the awesomeness of God. Or, I write my own heart. But then again, I’m a baby in this area and still very much finding my footing in this new paradigm.
But, you’re not alone. We’re walking with you. 🙂
Shalom!
I should probably add that I don’t like the church “formula” of leaders and followers as it’s generally done. But, I’m waiting on God to tell me to move before I leave. And, awesomely, I’m discovering that there are some people at the church I attend who believe as I believe that we have Hebrew roots and that the OT isn’t just a collection of stories. 🙂
Hi Amanda,
I like Pocket Full of Rocks too. I have found lately that I have a particular melody in my mind and use that to sing praises to the King.
The role of worship leader (praise team) etc. seems to be a misnomer. Having been there also, not many are in church to worship. It appears that the large majority thinks just showing up means they worshipped. Their presence in the building is their present to God, but their hearts are far from Him. One day, though, in spite of this, the true worshippers will gather together in one heart, in one accord and sing a new song of praise. The voices may not sound same, but the united in heart will harmoniously blend to present a pleasing offering of praise to YHWH.
Oh yeah! And I’m gonna be shouting a song of praise! How awesome will that be?! Can you imagine a hundred million voices all praising YHWH together! What an incredible sound, and what an incredible honor to be a part of that!
Yes, it is no fun being right & sometimes I try again to join in & am only disappointed once again – so i sit at home also with HIM by my side – waiting upon Him as well we should be – not forced into something so crass it is sickening – i would rather be home alone with Him than in compromise… ♥
Oh yes! There is more…-always more!- There is no bottom, there is no top- this is why we must live forever! How are we to give unto the LORD the glory due His Name (Hashem) if there is no eternity? When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, -we’ve no less days to sing G-d’s praise, than when we’ve first begun.
Roderick, maybe it is “times like these” I can actually rejoice in being a “Gentile-man” (lol!) How many flavors does Baskin-Robbins have? Thirty-one varieties of vanilla? I like vanilla but praise G-d there are thirty other flavors. Hallelu Yah for variety. Our G-d (hello?) is a G-d of tremendous diversity. (understatement of the year award). But (blessed be the Name) He is also our Elohim, our Abba, the G-d of unity and shalom. For G-d was in Christ, reconciling the world (the world, my friends!) unto Himself. Salvation (once again..) is to the Jew first. (pardon me..) Always has been. Always will be. To the Jew first. I am number two. And also to the Greek (the rest of us). I am the one adopted into the family. I am the wild branch grafted into the Vine.
Dear friends, that Vine is Christ, the Sent ONE. Whether Jew or Gentile- we all (regardless of our “tastes” in music) must come to the Father through Him who said, “I AM the Door.”
Did you know in Egypt “they” sing a different song of praise than “they” do in Albany, NY? Anybody who is not “like me” is different. (stupid statement of the year award). And furthermore anyone who doesn’t worship YHWH like I do is all wrong. OY! Are we now squabbling and squawking? or singing and shouting? – He is LORD! (Lord of all).
I’m glad someone listed Sons of Korah. I have often longed to hear the Psalms written to music and here it is! Thank you!