Music II - The Elements of Good & Godly Music

Introduction: Music is the language of emotions. It communicates directly with our heart. We live in a world of music. No other generation has been so surrounded by music as this generation. Most people, without realizing it, are "addicted" to music (eg. switch on the car radio automatically after they enter the car) and are uneasy with silence. Since we are surrounded by music, we should be able to differentiate between good and bad music. Most of us can discern good food from bad food, but few can do so with music, though it is the "food of the soul."

Godly music: Last week we learned that God is musical (ZEPH 3:17, ZECH 9:14) and that we, who are made in His image, are created musical beings. We are all innately musical - though circumstances may suppress our musical nature. God desires His people to worship Him with good, majestic, godly music. At the dedication of Solomon's Temple, 120 priests blew their trumpets (2CH 5:12). In 1CH 23:5 we are told that King David had trained 4000 Levites to be musicians for the Temple! Josephus the Jewish historian records that there were 200,000 robed singers at the dedication of the Temple! In 1CH 25:7 we are told that of these, 288 were full-time singers. These musicians were not a disorganized group but each one was "appointed….to their charges, to praise and minister" (2CH 8:14). They were "appointed…every man according to his service….to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD" (2CH 31:2). They were dedicated musicians who "waited on their offices" (2CH 7:6). Though the orchestra and choir were huge and though they did not have electronic aids to help them, when they played and sang they "were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD" (2CH 5:13). The zeal and unity of a large godly choir is an inspiring sight. There are few sights to match it.

The purpose of godly music is to "praise and thank" God (2CH 5:13). Old Testament saints brought their animal sacrifices to the Temple. Christians are expected to offer their "sacrifice of praise" when they come to God's house (HEB 13:15).

Though many Christians believe that the primary purpose of singing Christian songs is evangelism and though it is true that many people have heard the Gospel through Gospel songs, there is no biblical evidence that they are primarily evangelistic in nature. The passage often used to support the use of evangelistic singing is found in ACT 16, where Paul and Silas sang in the Philippian jail and the jailor and his family were saved. The jailor was asleep when Paul and Silas sang (v.27)! They were saved by preaching of the Word (v.31,32). Since music works directly on the heart (emotions), godly music prepares the heart to be receptive to God's Word. But "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (ROM 10:17).

The result of godly praise is God's presence and power. When God's people praised Him at the dedication of the Temple, "the house was filled with a cloud….for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God" (2CH 5:13-14). "Clouds" are symbols of God's presence and power (EXO 16:10).

The three basic elements of music: Music consists of three basic elements, namely, melody, harmony and rhythm. These three elements correspond to the three components of man, namely, spirit, soul (intellect) and body.

The melody (the tune; the horizontal arrangement of music) corresponds to the spirit of man. A man who is inspired (in his spirit) composes a melody that carries the message of his thoughts (eg. reverent, majestic, happy, sad). An "inspired" person often spontaneously hums or whistles a tune that he composes. The melody is the part of music that most people recognize and remember.

The harmony (the chords; the vertical arrangement of music) corresponds to the soul (intellect) of man. An untrained person will recognize the melody only but a trained musician is able to recognize the chords. After a composer is inspired to write the melody, he uses his intellect and training to fill up the harmony to give it a richer fuller sound. A "tense" harmonic can create tension (eg. scary music) and a "pleasant" harmonic can make the music pleasing.

The rhythm (the pulse; the part of music that makes it move and flow) corresponds to the physical body of man. The word "rhythm" comes from the word "rheo" which means "to flow." Too much rhythm, ie, overly pulsating rhythm (eg. rock, jazz, disco, country, blues) can cause bodily (sexual) tension. An overly pulsating rhythm does not create joyful or happy music (as many people think) but creates sexual tension. It is possible to create happy music without using a loud or pulsating rhythm. Similarly, it is possible to create happy music without using a overly fast rhythm.

Since the dominant part of man is his spirit (MAT 6:33), the melody should dominate in a good piece of music. And as the intellectual part of man should be subject to his spiritual part (2CO 10:5), the harmony should take a secondary place in a good piece of music. And since the body should always be kept in subjection (ROM 8:13, 13:14, 1CO 9:27), the rhythm must be kept under strict control.

A good symphonic orchestra has about a hundred musicians playing various instruments. Of these hundred, only three or four of them are rhythm instruments (eg. bass, snare drum, cymbals, triangle). In other words, a good piece of music should have about three to four percent rhythm. Like salt in food, a small amount of rhythm in music is necessary but too much of it spoils the music.

In a rock band (or contemporary Christian band) there are usually four musicians, namely, the rhythm guitar, bass guitar, lead guitar and drums. All four are rhythm instruments - and only the lead guitar plays some melody. In other words, rock music has between 75-100% rhythm!

Regular or Irregular beat: In a 4/4 piece of music, ie, four beats. The first is dominant, and the third beat is next in dominance. For example, when we sing "T'is so sweet to trust in Jesus," the strongest beats are on "t'is" and "trust" and the next strongest beats are on "sweet" and "Je.."

This rhythm corresponds to the beat of the human heart, which is loudest when the left ventricle pumps blood to the body. This is followed by a soft beat as the blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The next loud sound (which is softer than the first loud sound) corresponds to the pumping of blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. This is followed by a soft sound as the blood flows from the right atrium into the right ventricle.

Rock music emphasizes the second and fourth beats (the "backbeats" or "offbeats"). An overuse of syncopation creates music that is shifty, evasive and jerky (more about this next week).

Characteristics of Good Music:
1. Volume changes (not always loud)
2. Tempo changes (not always fast)
3. Melody clearly distinguishable (not drowned by the rhythm instruments)
4. Rhythmic emphasis on the down-beat (not an irregular beat)
5. The lyrics are God-honoring and doctrinally sound
6. It does not have bad associations.