Fifth,
some further musical styles and sounds are not appropriate because they are not
reverent and solemn. The worship of the
sanctuary is specified constantly as solemn and reverent praise of God, and
never once designated as entertainment of men, children, or any other group.
some further musical styles and sounds are not appropriate because they are not
reverent and solemn. The worship of the
sanctuary is specified constantly as solemn and reverent praise of God, and
never once designated as entertainment of men, children, or any other group.
M. R. DeHann wrote:
Remember also
that the bread on the table with the frankincense was the only thing placed
upon the table [in the Tabernacle] as the food of the priests. . . . [A]ll that
is necessary for faith and life . . . [t]he sustaining food of the believer . .
. is the Word of God, both the living Wor[d] and the written Word . . . [with]
the frankincense, the Holy Spirit. . . . There were no sauces and spices and
pickles and olives and fancy salads or pie à la mode; just bread. We have
drifted far, far away from this simple formula today. Instead of believers
coming together to fellowship around the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life,
without all the extraneous paraphernalia, and just to feed on His Word, we have
too often turned our services into a carnival. The Word has been pushed aside
into a secondary place. Instead, we have an hour and a half of preliminaries, with
singing of silly choruses and empty spirituals, and joking and laughing and
horseplay. Entertainment has taken the place of worship . . . [and]
preaching[.] . . . [Finally we have] a fifteen-minute sermonette, highly spiced
and sensational, in order to keep people awake after all of the wearying
entertainment. And then we wonder at the worldliness and the shallowness of
Christians today. We have added pickles, olives, radishes, and highly seasoned
extras, and have relegated the Word of Life to a side dish, which few will
touch. . . . The assembly of the saints should be first of all a time of
worship and devotion and feeding and feasting upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and
not a matter of shallow entertainment. (pg. 94, The Tabernacle, M. R. DeHaan.
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
1955)
that the bread on the table with the frankincense was the only thing placed
upon the table [in the Tabernacle] as the food of the priests. . . . [A]ll that
is necessary for faith and life . . . [t]he sustaining food of the believer . .
. is the Word of God, both the living Wor[d] and the written Word . . . [with]
the frankincense, the Holy Spirit. . . . There were no sauces and spices and
pickles and olives and fancy salads or pie à la mode; just bread. We have
drifted far, far away from this simple formula today. Instead of believers
coming together to fellowship around the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life,
without all the extraneous paraphernalia, and just to feed on His Word, we have
too often turned our services into a carnival. The Word has been pushed aside
into a secondary place. Instead, we have an hour and a half of preliminaries, with
singing of silly choruses and empty spirituals, and joking and laughing and
horseplay. Entertainment has taken the place of worship . . . [and]
preaching[.] . . . [Finally we have] a fifteen-minute sermonette, highly spiced
and sensational, in order to keep people awake after all of the wearying
entertainment. And then we wonder at the worldliness and the shallowness of
Christians today. We have added pickles, olives, radishes, and highly seasoned
extras, and have relegated the Word of Life to a side dish, which few will
touch. . . . The assembly of the saints should be first of all a time of
worship and devotion and feeding and feasting upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and
not a matter of shallow entertainment. (pg. 94, The Tabernacle, M. R. DeHaan.
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
1955)
Bozo the Clown
playing a kazoo may be entertaining, but it is not solemn or reverent. Nor are the many songs written to entertain
the young or the spiritually immature, rather than to offer God holy worship,
solemn or reverent. Scripture never
specifies a special category of “children’s music” which, allegedly exempt from
the qualities of reverence and solemnity that accurately represent Jehovah, can
simply be fun and frothy. Nor can
honesty conclude that the solemn and majestic heavenly praise of Revelation 4-5
sounds like a country-western, Southern Gospel, or bluegrass hoedown. The overwhelmingly rural, simple, and country
people that filled the land of Israel offered God in worship the profound,
deep, and rich words of the Psalter with the “solemn sound” (Ps 92:3) that He
commanded. Both the lyrics and style of
music must accurately represent God—whether or not the holy worship of the
sanctuary fits in with popular culture, or is attractive to the majority of the
population, is an indication of whether a land is ripe for judgment or
blessing, but not an indication of what God’s people should bring before the
Holy One who rules in heaven. Is the
music you offer to the Lord solemn and reverent?
playing a kazoo may be entertaining, but it is not solemn or reverent. Nor are the many songs written to entertain
the young or the spiritually immature, rather than to offer God holy worship,
solemn or reverent. Scripture never
specifies a special category of “children’s music” which, allegedly exempt from
the qualities of reverence and solemnity that accurately represent Jehovah, can
simply be fun and frothy. Nor can
honesty conclude that the solemn and majestic heavenly praise of Revelation 4-5
sounds like a country-western, Southern Gospel, or bluegrass hoedown. The overwhelmingly rural, simple, and country
people that filled the land of Israel offered God in worship the profound,
deep, and rich words of the Psalter with the “solemn sound” (Ps 92:3) that He
commanded. Both the lyrics and style of
music must accurately represent God—whether or not the holy worship of the
sanctuary fits in with popular culture, or is attractive to the majority of the
population, is an indication of whether a land is ripe for judgment or
blessing, but not an indication of what God’s people should bring before the
Holy One who rules in heaven. Is the
music you offer to the Lord solemn and reverent?
Sixth,
the worship of the house of God is formal, not informal, in keeping with the
holiness of He whose house it is. The
garments worn were modest, for the exposure of nakedness in the dwelling of the
King could lead to immediate death (Ex 20:26; 28:42). Furthermore, the garments
worn by the priests when they entered Jehovah’s presence were costly and
formal, designed “for glory and for beauty”—they were the best that Israel had
(Ex 28). Their apparel properly represented
the reverend and holy One into whose presence they were coming. They did not wear the apparel appropriate for
toiling in the fields (cf. Zech 3:5) when they appeared in the house of God. In the like manner the royal priesthood of
the Lord’s blood-bought people should wear garments that are clean, modest, and
formal in the sanctuary. Unkempt, dirty,
or casual garments may be appropriate when repairing one’s car or cleaning a
pigpen, but the reverence and solemnity appropriate for appearing in the presence
of the dread King of heaven requires otherwise.
The members of the Lord’s church make a statement of what they think
about God when men come into His presence in neat suits and ties and women come
in formal and modest dresses. When they
do not fear to come into His presence dressed like hippies or hillbillies they
likewise make a statement—one of lightness and irreverence. Do your clothes represent the reverence God
requires of you both inwardly and outwardly?
the worship of the house of God is formal, not informal, in keeping with the
holiness of He whose house it is. The
garments worn were modest, for the exposure of nakedness in the dwelling of the
King could lead to immediate death (Ex 20:26; 28:42). Furthermore, the garments
worn by the priests when they entered Jehovah’s presence were costly and
formal, designed “for glory and for beauty”—they were the best that Israel had
(Ex 28). Their apparel properly represented
the reverend and holy One into whose presence they were coming. They did not wear the apparel appropriate for
toiling in the fields (cf. Zech 3:5) when they appeared in the house of God. In the like manner the royal priesthood of
the Lord’s blood-bought people should wear garments that are clean, modest, and
formal in the sanctuary. Unkempt, dirty,
or casual garments may be appropriate when repairing one’s car or cleaning a
pigpen, but the reverence and solemnity appropriate for appearing in the presence
of the dread King of heaven requires otherwise.
The members of the Lord’s church make a statement of what they think
about God when men come into His presence in neat suits and ties and women come
in formal and modest dresses. When they
do not fear to come into His presence dressed like hippies or hillbillies they
likewise make a statement—one of lightness and irreverence. Do your clothes represent the reverence God
requires of you both inwardly and outwardly?
Seventh, those who truly delight themselves
in the Lord (Is 58:14) will consider the principles in Isaiah 58:13 on the
Lord’s Day. The Master commands His
people, “turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a
delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and . . . honour him, not doing
thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.” Those who revere their holy Redeemer will set
apart the entire Lord’s Day for His glory, not only one hour every Sunday
morning. As they will honor the entire
Lord’s Day, they will be especially careful to guard themselves when they enter
the house of God, recognizing that they are entering a holy place (Ecc 5:1).[1] They will get to church on time—indeed, they
will arrive early. Because they long to
come into the presence of God, they will do whatever is in their power to never
miss services (Ps 42:1-2), that they might see His power and glory in His
sanctuary (Ps 63:1-2). They will be very
quick to hear and obey the preached Word (Jam 1:19-24), knowing that Jehovah
looks to the believer who has a poor and contrite spirit and who trembles at
His Word (Is 66:2). They will sing with
reverence and grace in their hearts to the Lord. They will approach the Lord in corporate
prayer with the solemn gravity due to His exalted majesty and with a deep
awareness of and humble repentance for their own sinfulness—a practice that
they will maintain also in private and in family prayer. They will not say Amen flippantly, but say it solemnly and reverently, considering
its signification as an address to God.[2] They will speak words of godly edification
one to another instead of discussing the vanities of the world, as people who
know that the Lord hearkens and hears them, and records their words in His book
of remembrance (Heb 10:24-25; Mal 3:16).
They will take with extreme seriousness their identification in baptism
with the name or character of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Mt 28:19) and be
scrupulous and careful to participate in the communion ordinance worthily,
recognizing it for what it is—the holy memorial and remembrance of their Lord,
Jesus Christ (1 Cor 11:29). They will
honor Him by treating His Person, Word, and worship with weightiness instead of
flippancy and lightness.[3] Those who delight in the Lord in this manner
show Him solemn reverence. Do you do so?
in the Lord (Is 58:14) will consider the principles in Isaiah 58:13 on the
Lord’s Day. The Master commands His
people, “turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a
delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and . . . honour him, not doing
thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.” Those who revere their holy Redeemer will set
apart the entire Lord’s Day for His glory, not only one hour every Sunday
morning. As they will honor the entire
Lord’s Day, they will be especially careful to guard themselves when they enter
the house of God, recognizing that they are entering a holy place (Ecc 5:1).[1] They will get to church on time—indeed, they
will arrive early. Because they long to
come into the presence of God, they will do whatever is in their power to never
miss services (Ps 42:1-2), that they might see His power and glory in His
sanctuary (Ps 63:1-2). They will be very
quick to hear and obey the preached Word (Jam 1:19-24), knowing that Jehovah
looks to the believer who has a poor and contrite spirit and who trembles at
His Word (Is 66:2). They will sing with
reverence and grace in their hearts to the Lord. They will approach the Lord in corporate
prayer with the solemn gravity due to His exalted majesty and with a deep
awareness of and humble repentance for their own sinfulness—a practice that
they will maintain also in private and in family prayer. They will not say Amen flippantly, but say it solemnly and reverently, considering
its signification as an address to God.[2] They will speak words of godly edification
one to another instead of discussing the vanities of the world, as people who
know that the Lord hearkens and hears them, and records their words in His book
of remembrance (Heb 10:24-25; Mal 3:16).
They will take with extreme seriousness their identification in baptism
with the name or character of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Mt 28:19) and be
scrupulous and careful to participate in the communion ordinance worthily,
recognizing it for what it is—the holy memorial and remembrance of their Lord,
Jesus Christ (1 Cor 11:29). They will
honor Him by treating His Person, Word, and worship with weightiness instead of
flippancy and lightness.[3] Those who delight in the Lord in this manner
show Him solemn reverence. Do you do so?
This entire study can be accessed here.
[1]
The
idea behind the command, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God”
(Ecc 5:1), is “[i]n going to worship, go with considerate, circumspect,
reverent feeling. The allusion is to the taking off the shoes, or sandals, in
entering a temple” (JFB) as a place that is holy ground (Ex 3:5; Josh 5:15).
The
idea behind the command, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God”
(Ecc 5:1), is “[i]n going to worship, go with considerate, circumspect,
reverent feeling. The allusion is to the taking off the shoes, or sandals, in
entering a temple” (JFB) as a place that is holy ground (Ex 3:5; Josh 5:15).
[2]
Brakel
explains:
Brakel
explains:
Amen is a Hebrew word which
means truth. Sometimes it is used singularly, and sometimes it is
repeated: Amen and Amen. At times it is used singularly and at
times with an addition: Amen, Hallelujah; Amen, Oh Lord; Amen, the Lord do
thus.
means truth. Sometimes it is used singularly, and sometimes it is
repeated: Amen and Amen. At times it is used singularly and at
times with an addition: Amen, Hallelujah; Amen, Oh Lord; Amen, the Lord do
thus.
(1) Sometimes
it is approbation and a subscribing to what has been said. . . . Deut 27:15 . .
. Neh 8:6. This approbation indicates that we comprehend the matter, as well as
that we wish and desire it. . . . 1 Cor 14:16. (2) Sometimes it is expressive
of a strong desire for a matter, and a desire that it be thus and come about as
such . . . Jer 11:5. (3) Sometimes it signifies veracity, certainty, and
steadfastness—upon which one can rely and trust in . . . 2 Cor 1:20.
it is approbation and a subscribing to what has been said. . . . Deut 27:15 . .
. Neh 8:6. This approbation indicates that we comprehend the matter, as well as
that we wish and desire it. . . . 1 Cor 14:16. (2) Sometimes it is expressive
of a strong desire for a matter, and a desire that it be thus and come about as
such . . . Jer 11:5. (3) Sometimes it signifies veracity, certainty, and
steadfastness—upon which one can rely and trust in . . . 2 Cor 1:20.
The believing
supplicant who has prayed everything with both his understanding and his heart,
acknowledges the veracity and certainty of God’s promises, that He will hear
prayer[.] . . . The supplicant has prayed with his heart, knows that the
matters he has prayed for are according to God’s will, believes the goodness,
omnipotence, and veracity of God, expects the fulfillment of his desire
(subjecting himself to its time, manner, and measure), and longingly adds to
this: ―Amen, so be it; it shall most certainly be true [Rev 22:20]. (pgs.
588-589, The Christian’s Reasonable
Service, vol. 3, Wilhelmus á Brakel. trans. Bartel Elshout, ed. Joel R.
Beeke. [Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation
Heritage Books, 2007])
supplicant who has prayed everything with both his understanding and his heart,
acknowledges the veracity and certainty of God’s promises, that He will hear
prayer[.] . . . The supplicant has prayed with his heart, knows that the
matters he has prayed for are according to God’s will, believes the goodness,
omnipotence, and veracity of God, expects the fulfillment of his desire
(subjecting himself to its time, manner, and measure), and longingly adds to
this: ―Amen, so be it; it shall most certainly be true [Rev 22:20]. (pgs.
588-589, The Christian’s Reasonable
Service, vol. 3, Wilhelmus á Brakel. trans. Bartel Elshout, ed. Joel R.
Beeke. [Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation
Heritage Books, 2007])
[3]
For,
after all, the word group for honor
in the Old Testament (dEb;Dk) is that of weightiness
or heaviness, while to treat someone lightly (llq/hlq) is to dishonor
him (cf. 1 Sam 2:30; Ex 20:12; Deut 27:16; Pr 12:9).
For,
after all, the word group for honor
in the Old Testament (dEb;Dk) is that of weightiness
or heaviness, while to treat someone lightly (llq/hlq) is to dishonor
him (cf. 1 Sam 2:30; Ex 20:12; Deut 27:16; Pr 12:9).
Just stumbled onto this (God)! and agree with the solomnity, etc (saw a man in my Church actually wearing sandals, no socks)! It seems the Church's in the East/Midwest are more conservative in dress, here in UT very informal, why? Also, what do you know of Will Galkin? Heard back East he uses 'the Bridgers' (Townsend, Soverign Grace, etc) – why? We must really be in the End Times? Thanks for your input!
Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for the comment. I don't know a whole lot about the people you mentioned; perhaps wayoflife.org has more information.
Thank you for your kind reply 🙂 Actually I've just recently found some info on "the recent songwriters who write content-rich songs (names Gettys, Townsend, Bob Kauflin, etc – all charismatics)! This from pg 54 of The New Calvinists, Changing the Gospel, by ES Williams. Scary stuff, they are sure not the old traditional Calvinists in the vein of Spurgeon, etc! It seems to me we have Lots of "content-rich" hymns in our hymn books (why do I never hear 'Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness' ever sung?? (and yes, I really believe we are nearer to the Rapture than ever before)!