HYMNS IN WORSHIP (1)

“And when they had sung AN HYMN, they went out into the mount of Olives” – Matthew 26: 30

The Church needs a fresh Revelation of the Place and Power of HYMNS in WORSHIP: “And when they had sung AN HYMN, they went out into the mount of Olives” (Mt.26:30). Here, we see the Value our Lord Jesus attached to hymns, hence the singing of a hymn at the end of the Communion Table, shortly before commencing the Journey to the cross. Hymns are central to the lifestyle of True Worship and Praise. Hymns play essential roles in both the sinner’s conversion and the Believer’s Life of Devotion. Paul wrote: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and HYMNS and Spiritual Songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col.3:16). Ephesians 5:19 expresses similar thoughts on Hymns.

The singing of Hymns in Church meetings or at private devotion is a form of worship. Hymns can serve as prayers of thanks or an expression of devotion. Even without the lyrics being sang, when an orchestra plays a worship hymn, the words associated with the music tend to capture the minds and lips of all who are intimate with the hymn. A unique atmosphere pervades and a feeling of reverence fills the congregation as they quietly contemplate the message. Our spirits resonate with the music and the words of hymns as we softly hum the melody. It’s as though the music and words of inspired hymns open the door for the Holy Spirit to commune with our spirits. Those who have had a foretaste cherish the sacred feelings that accompany Worship through Hymns.

Hymns enrich the spirit and soothe the soul. Most hymns touch our inner being, bring peace, stirring gratitude, and a sense of awe for the goodness of the Lord. Hymns create the serene and solemn atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to manifest and bless. Some of the most profound messages are communicated through hymns. They facilitate a spirit of worship, revelation, and testimony. Only God’s Spirit can measure the value of hymns that are sung with the right music, words and sacred musical instruments.  Music becomes a performance when it brings attention to itself. In contrast, the nature of true Worship Hymns is to draw attention to God!

Many of the evergreen hymns in the Church drew from the wells of salvation and revelation in the composers. Such hymns usually touch and temper human feelings and create a sense of reverence. The words reverence and revelation are like two sides of a coin. Hymns often reinforce the great truths of Scriptures. Listening to the lyrics, the hymns teach and minister to our spirits, minds, and emotions. Writing about hymn-writers gone-by, James McClelland said: “Most great hymns have a story…In most cases the creation of a hymn was intensely personal…They wrote from the depths of their heart having no idea that one day the Christian Church would sing their songs.” The songs of the righteous are eternal prayers and holy worship before our Heavenly Father.

Beloved, let not the hymnbook be far from your reach. Hymns ought to occupy a prominent place in our personal, family, and church Devotions. God uses hymns to usher in a spirit of serenity, beauty and peace, and inspire love and unity in families and groups that worship together. Beyond congregational singing, it is highly beneficial to listen to hymns frequently, memorize and ponder on them, recite and sing them at all possible moments – at work, play, and travel – and partake of their spiritual enrichment and nourishment. How incomplete and empty some Christian meetings are, without hymns! We need for our spirits to be quickened and our minds renewed for a fresh revelation of the Place and Power of Hymns in Worship – Congregational and Personal.