Musing – How much of our Theology do we get from Hymns?

Hebraic Musing – How much of our Theology do we get from Hymns?

Do you find yourself singing, or at least humming, the Praise and Worship songs as you drive home from church after services?  Did theology, teachings and lessons get into your head and heart as a result?      (BTW - I am not claiming significant meaning in some of the “7 words; 11 times” songs.)

We’re not the only ones using hymns to understand truths in God’s Word; Moses included songs in the Torah:
  - :I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously…the horse…” (Ex. 15:1-19)
  - :Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth” (Deut. 32:1-43)

And Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving - “My heart rejoiceth in the Lord”  (I Sam. 2:1-10)

And great hymns in the Book of Isaiah - “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts…” (Isa. 6:3)
   - “We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks” (Isa. 26:1-21)

OT Israelites were suffering from lack of availability of God’s written Word, until David wrote and promoted Psalms! aka Songs!  And Paul promoted the use of hymns in his message to the Colossians (3:16) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”  

In the NT we have benedictions which come from local first century hymns/songs. A few examples:
  - by Luke – “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel” (Luke 1:68-79)
  - by Zacharias – “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace “ (Luke 2:29-32)
  - by Simeon, the “Magnifcat” – “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (Luke 1:46-55)
  - by Angels – “Glory to God in the highest…” (Luke 2:14)
  - fragments of Isaiah 6:3 repeated in Rev. 4:8 – “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty…”
  - and a classic – “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,
                        and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:12-14)

I’ve heard it said most of our theology is formed around the songs and hymns we sing.  John Wesley believed “if you can’t sing it, don’t preach it.”  And he authored many hymns that preach theology i.e. “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise…”  And many were lifted from Scripture, especially Psalms!

How can one sing all verses of “Amazing Grace” and not get saved all over again?  (>:

Martin Luther is not always recognized for authoring church hymns, but consider this for example - “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing….”

More recently we have contributions from Bill & Gloria Gaither like “Because He Lives…” and “God sent His son, they called Him Jesus…”

Then we have delightful seasonal songs that even play on the sound system in department stores - “Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King! Let every heart…”  And it is PC to sing them aloud!!! 

What did the Apostles do after the Last Supper?  ”When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”  Mark 14:26

So next time you are praising and worshipping God, listen to the words you are singing.  Let them penetrate and fill your heart with praise; and let them help you bow in gratitude before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

How many times did you find yourself continuing to sing the …’s above?

How many times in reading the Bible do you recognize a familiar song or hymn?
And then you can’t help singing to yourself, or out loud!
(I’ve drawn treble clefs next to verses in my Bible I recognize as songs!)

♫  “In my heart there rings a melody,…a melody of love…” ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          November 26, 2019
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Notes -             Inspired by and excerpted from Kurt Johnson’s “Bible Bites” from Feb.17, 2007
Suggestion - Google “Christian Hymns of the first century” and be blessed!