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Worship question - music or lyrics?

Wrg1405

Wrg1405

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Joined
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What inspires your worship? Is it the music, it's rhythm, tempo or the words?

I must admit that some worship songs do not appeal to me even though though the lyrics are good.
That's because the music is not off my taste,

Where the music is off my taste the lyrics really sink into my heart.

For me an example would be the old hymn "O Jesus I have promised" when I'm was a nipper I loved it, the music was what I liked and the lyrics came alive. That was the old version. The new version didn't do it for me. The lyrics were the same but the music was not to my taste.

Is that wrong, anyone like me?
 
Wrg1405 said:
What inspires your worship? Is it the music, it's rhythm, tempo or the words?

I must admit that some worship songs do not appeal to me even though though the lyrics are good.
That's because the music is not off my taste,

Where the music is off my taste the lyrics really sink into my heart.

For me an example would be the old hymn "O Jesus I have promised" when I'm was a nipper I loved it, the music was what I liked and the lyrics came alive. That was the old version. The new version didn't do it for me. The lyrics were the same but the music was not to my taste.

Is that wrong, anyone like me?
Click to expand...

The words -100%.

Compare the lyrics of these two songs:

Song 1:
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739 (Acts 16:26)
Music: Thomas Campbell, 1835

1.
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2.
'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.

3.
He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

4.
Long my imprisoned sprit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

5.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Thanks to HymnSite.com for providing this public domain midi file and text.

Song 2:
Now try this one:

HILLSONG UNITED LYRICS
"All About You"

Hear our praises,
Hear Your people sing
Hear our hearts cry,
Your love is everything

And all will hear this sound
As the nations turn to You
And this will be our anthem

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

Let our hearts break,
As we praise your name
Let the earth shake,
This is the sound of faith

And all will hear this sound
As the nations turn to You
And this will be our anthem

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

And the walls will fall down
and religion will break
And the nations will hear this shout
Can you hear the sound of faith?

Cause we're all about You
Cause we're all about You
[4x]

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

Cause we're all about You
Cause we're all about You
[4x]

And all the walls are falling down
As all the nations praise
And all the world will hear this shout
Can you hear the sound of faith?
[2x]
++++++++++++
I know which one I prefer and it's not the second one. It wouldn't matter if the music accompaniment was pipe organ or guitar band and vocalist for the congregational singing. It's the content that counts for me.

AND the congregational singability of the songs. I don't find Hillsong or Jesus Culture to be songs for the congregation but for performance of the band.

That's a personal view. I wouldn't go to a church that constantly sang Hillsong or Jesus Culture songs.

Oz
 
Wrg1405 said:
What inspires your worship? Is it the music, it's rhythm, tempo or the words?

I must admit that some worship songs do not appeal to me even though though the lyrics are good.
That's because the music is not off my taste,

Where the music is off my taste the lyrics really sink into my heart.

For me an example would be the old hymn "O Jesus I have promised" when I'm was a nipper I loved it, the music was what I liked and the lyrics came alive. That was the old version. The new version didn't do it for me. The lyrics were the same but the music was not to my taste.

Is that wrong, anyone like me?
Click to expand...
None of us were stamped out with a Cookie Cutter making right or wrong here a nonissue. Jesus told the woman that one day, now, we would worship in truth and in spirit. If you listened to that song posted as an mp3, you should have heard that I pour every portion of me, soul and physical, into my worship. If I cry, and when the Spirit moves I do, I am shameless. Worship is not for an audience! Worship is personal between me and my God! When others join in it is awesome but it is personal.
 
Wrg1405 said:
What inspires your worship? Is it the music, it's rhythm, tempo or the words?

I must admit that some worship songs do not appeal to me even though though the lyrics are good.
That's because the music is not off my taste,

Where the music is off my taste the lyrics really sink into my heart.

For me an example would be the old hymn "O Jesus I have promised" when I'm was a nipper I loved it, the music was what I liked and the lyrics came alive. That was the old version. The new version didn't do it for me. The lyrics were the same but the music was not to my taste.

Is that wrong, anyone like me?
Click to expand...
I agree with Oz. The words 100%.

Here's my favorite song. The words are the reason I love it:





W
 
Wrg1405 said:
What inspires your worship? Is it the music, it's rhythm, tempo or the words?

I must admit that some worship songs do not appeal to me even though though the lyrics are good.
That's because the music is not off my taste,

Where the music is off my taste the lyrics really sink into my heart.

For me an example would be the old hymn "O Jesus I have promised" when I'm was a nipper I loved it, the music was what I liked and the lyrics came alive. That was the old version. The new version didn't do it for me. The lyrics were the same but the music was not to my taste.

Is that wrong, anyone like me?
Click to expand...
It's both, the words and the music.
The music and vocals must be good without drawing more attention to itself than the God we adore through it.
Today, in our 'talent search' mentality, it's all about vocal acrobatics and amazing instrumentation.....with some dull, lifeless, superficial words pasted on top. People like the music so they call that worship. They don't know better.

Having been in worship over the years, I think the best music to accompany worship is music that is not polarized towards a particular trend or 'like' among people. An easy listening style of light rock seems to be the ticket these days. It offends the least number of people. Most people can listen to it without being upset that their particular music taste is not being served. Hard driving snare and bass drums, and clapping after every song are big no no's. Please show these to the nearest exit.
 
The secret in singing is found between the vibration in the singer's voice,
And the throb in the hearer's heart....:rocking
 
OzSpen said:
The words -100%.

Compare the lyrics of these two songs:

Song 1:
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739 (Acts 16:26)
Music: Thomas Campbell, 1835

1.
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2.
'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.

3.
He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

4.
Long my imprisoned sprit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

5.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Thanks to HymnSite.com for providing this public domain midi file and text.

Song 2:
Now try this one:

HILLSONG UNITED LYRICS
"All About You"

Hear our praises,
Hear Your people sing
Hear our hearts cry,
Your love is everything

And all will hear this sound
As the nations turn to You
And this will be our anthem

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

Let our hearts break,
As we praise your name
Let the earth shake,
This is the sound of faith

And all will hear this sound
As the nations turn to You
And this will be our anthem

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

And the walls will fall down
and religion will break
And the nations will hear this shout
Can you hear the sound of faith?

Cause we're all about You
Cause we're all about You
[4x]

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

Cause we're all about You
Cause we're all about You
[4x]

And all the walls are falling down
As all the nations praise
And all the world will hear this shout
Can you hear the sound of faith?
[2x]
++++++++++++
I know which one I prefer and it's not the second one. It wouldn't matter if the music accompaniment was pipe organ or guitar band and vocalist for the congregational singing. It's the content that counts for me.

AND the congregational singability of the songs. I don't find Hillsong or Jesus Culture to be songs for the congregation but for performance of the band.

That's a personal view. I wouldn't go to a church that constantly sang Hillsong or Jesus Culture songs.

Oz
Click to expand...
I get what you are saying.
 
OzSpen said:
The words -100%.

Compare the lyrics of these two songs:

Song 1:
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739 (Acts 16:26)
Music: Thomas Campbell, 1835

1.
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2.
'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.

3.
He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

4.
Long my imprisoned sprit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

5.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Thanks to HymnSite.com for providing this public domain midi file and text.

Song 2:
Now try this one:

HILLSONG UNITED LYRICS
"All About You"

Hear our praises,
Hear Your people sing
Hear our hearts cry,
Your love is everything

And all will hear this sound
As the nations turn to You
And this will be our anthem

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

Let our hearts break,
As we praise your name
Let the earth shake,
This is the sound of faith

And all will hear this sound
As the nations turn to You
And this will be our anthem

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

And the walls will fall down
and religion will break
And the nations will hear this shout
Can you hear the sound of faith?

Cause we're all about You
Cause we're all about You
[4x]

Cause we're all about You
And the world You promised
And all we have will give you praise
Cause we're all about You
And the world can't stop us
Living Your Way
Always

Cause we're all about You
Cause we're all about You
[4x]

And all the walls are falling down
As all the nations praise
And all the world will hear this shout
Can you hear the sound of faith?
[2x]
++++++++++++
I know which one I prefer and it's not the second one. It wouldn't matter if the music accompaniment was pipe organ or guitar band and vocalist for the congregational singing. It's the content that counts for me.

AND the congregational singability of the songs. I don't find Hillsong or Jesus Culture to be songs for the congregation but for performance of the band.

That's a personal view. I wouldn't go to a church that constantly sang Hillsong or Jesus Culture songs.

Oz
Click to expand...

I'm so glad you chose a Charles Wesley Hymn as your example of the best kind of Christian music. Almost no one has been as good, or prolific, a writer of hymns as Wesley. As I frequently comment to our congregation, our theology is in our music. And, I value both the music and the words.
 
I'm a lyrics person, I love good and meaningful lyrics. But the music is kinda important to me too. Sorta. It's got to match, I guess. And there are some styles of music I don't particularly care for.
 
Mike S said:
I'm so glad you chose a Charles Wesley Hymn as your example of the best kind of Christian music. Almost no one has been as good, or prolific, a writer of hymns as Wesley. As I frequently comment to our congregation, our theology is in our music. And, I value both the music and the words.
Click to expand...

Isaac Watts was very good as a hymnist, as was John Newton. In these modern days, Bishop Dudley-Smith is writing some excellent modern hymns.
 
wondering said:
It's beautiful.
I knew it.


W
Click to expand...

W,

I have just listened to a person in South Africa with a significant disability who loves the Lord and has just led the congregation in singing, 'What a Day That Will Be'. I pray that this will be as great a blessing to you as it was to me. See:
.

Oz
 
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