My God, God of Christians and messianic Jews, to be specific, is without beginning or end, creator of all that is created, omnipotent, omnipresent, triune, good, just, loving and perfect. Surely, I've left stuff out. I can't
explain those of His attributes I mentioned, even to my own satisfaction. To think of God as any lesser a being is to discredit and even insult Him.
God created and gave mankind an appreciation for music. Throughout the Bible, man used music to express a full range of emotion and experience. Music was also created to bring glory and honor to God.
So let us sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Mt.26:30, Mk.14:26, Col.3:16, Eph.5:19). What are hymns and psalms? A hymn is a slow, dirge-like song, normally played with a piano, organ or even with no instrumentation. In some cases, orchestral instruments such as flute, oboe, violin or French horn can be used. Hymns are sung from hymnals or from memory, and not from projections. Hymns were all written long ago. As far as psalms are concerned, if they aren't from David, they're not psalms, and it's best to stick with his "animal psalms" like the 23rd or 42nd.
We should not sing of falling into temptation, or struggles with life, or difficult theological questions, though many in the Bible did. Those things usually are not positive and uplifting. Not all musical genres are acceptable either. Those which are, are based on traditional musical styles such as bluegrass or country and western (non-American cultures are out of luck here). If not one of the above styles, "pretty" effeminate music could be accepted.
A vast multitude would have you believe this. That's what happens when man lets his own prejudice guide him. Satan often convinces us our thoughts are supreme. Such thought narrows us. When that happens, we fail miserably to see God's bigger picture.
Back in Genesis 11, man got to thinking pretty highly of himself. We tried to reach Heaven by way of the Tower of Babel. Man went a bit too far and God put a stop to it through His creation of different languages, or tongues.
Differing tongues are far from a bad thing. They serve to help keep us in our place and to remind us that God is the only being worthy of honor for his smarts. Languages, or tongues, therefore, bring glory to God.
Music comes in many languages, from primitive hitting sticks together to computer-generated and electronically-altered sounds which are often used in modern music. It's all still music, and God created it.
Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are undefined as to style or tempo. There's no definition on instrumental use, but the Bible does mention strings, percussion, brass, woodwinds and voice with which to make music.
I don't particularly like extreme metal, screamers, southern or black gospel, sneering rap, easy-listening or several other styles of music. I do, however, respect that those musical languages, or tongues, speak to others in ways my chosen musical tongues do not.
Don't deny God's power. Accept that you may not understand all tongues, and that, to God's glory. Don't flaunt your musical tongue to someone who doesn't understand it, unless you have a good interpreter. Be considerate.
Remember: If the music helps keep your focus on Jesus, LISTEN TO IT! --whether it's rock, southern gospel, rap, metal, or even sticky-sweet easy listening. Christian rock is good, but Jesus is THE Rock!
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
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