‘’Music is God’s gift to man, the only art of heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to heaven” (Walter Savage Landor).
Singing or playing music on an instrument expresses our “soul” (mind, will and emotions). But music that lifts our hearts and our eyes to God in Judeo-Christian worship comes from another dimension within the believer-from his spirit, from a heart renewed in Christ, made in God’s image.
This worship does involve our “soul”. With my mind, I can speak/sing and understand the words; with my will, I can sing to my best ability, or just be silent; with my emotions, I can feel joy, be moved to tears, be strengthened in my commitments, express my love for and to God, be lifted in my faith. Paul, the Apostle, in 1 Corinthians 14:15, says, “I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray also with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing also with my mind”. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, in John 3:24, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” I always wondered what Paul and Silas sang in their prison cell when the earth shook and set all the prisoners free from their chains! (Acts 16:25-34). Several people came to faith that day.
Sacred music has its own language: that language is of the spirit. The Christian faith has always been one of much singing. Our roots remain in the Jewish songs of deliverance and praise to God. The Psalms have always been the songbook of the church. So many of our hymns are inspired by them.
In 1529 A.D., Martin Luther wrote “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. That was almost 500 years ago! Compared to most of the “Popular songs” that have been written over the past centuries, with their secular lyrics and tunes, this hymn and so many songs of faith have truly survived the “test of time”. “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” is based on Psalm 46,” God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…”. These words and the hymn we sing in our time of unsurety are just as meaningful as when they were written.
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978
“A mighty fortress is our God, A sword and shield victorious; He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod And wins salvation glorious. The old satanic foe Has sworn to work us woe. With craft and dreadful might He arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal.”
“No strength of ours can match his might. We would be lost, rejected. But now a champion comes to fight, Whom God Himself elected. You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is He, Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, God’s only Son, adored. He holds the field victorious.”
“Though hordes of devils fill the land All threat’ning to devour us, We tremble not, unmoved we stand; They cannot overpow’r us. Let this world’s tyrant rage; In battle we’ll engage. His might is doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail! One little word subdues him.”
“God’s Word forever shall abide, No thanks to foes, who fear it; For God Himself fights by our side With weeapons of the Spirit. Were they to take our house, Goods, honor, child, or spouse, Though life be wrenched away, They cannot win the day. The Kingdom’s ours forever! “
(This article is inspired by Nathaniel Olson’s Hymns of Faith).
Melodie Gilbert, Organist, Christ Lutheran Church