Bible Studies

Lyrical Accuracy Part One

by Doug Laird 
10/14/24
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I grew up in a Church environment where the singing of the old hymns during worship services, and the singing of Gospel songs in Sunday School, played a significant part in the activity that took place there on a weekly basis.

I, for one, often got as much inspiration and edification from the lyrics of the music, as I did from the sermons and lessons that the ministers and Sunday School teachers had to offer.

I believe that singing, playing, and listening to the “right kind” of music is one of the ways that a born-again believer can become the type of worshiper that God desires to have.

One does not have to be “in Church” to embrace this form of worship. It can become a part of one’s daily “alone time” with the Lord, as well as with fellow believers.

By the “right kind” of music, I am not referring to any one genre, as the likes and dislikes of the many types of music is only a matter of personal taste and preference.

Some prefer soft, reverential music, whereas others prefer loud, foot-stomping, hand clapping, upbeat music. What is an inspiring, powerful voice or musical instrument to some, is noise and even annoying to others.

As for genre, it’s different strokes for different folks. It’s the Hallelujah Chorus for some, and guitars, amplifiers, and drums for others. I’m fine with that.

In the traditional local assembly setting, the music director is faced with the same challenge as the pastor-teacher, who must make his sermons and program simultaneously meaningful to a diverse congregation, who are at different levels of spiritual growth and have different preferences.

With each sermon, hopefully a few points will be made or reiterated, but a word for word recollection is not likely to take place.

But with the lyrics of a hymn or song, the words are retained, especially if it becomes a popular song, and frequently repeated.

By the “right kind of music,” I am referring to hymns and songs with lyrical accuracy, properly representing God or the things of God.

Lyrical accuracy is evaluated by its consistency with sound Bible Doctrine.

Melodies can be pleasing to hear, but it’s the words of the hymn or song that edify. It is the words of the song or hymn that either properly represent (or misrepresent) God and the things of God.

There is a time and a place for acknowledging by word or music, the experiences and contributions that Spirit-filled, human beings have made, are making, and desire to have and to make in the unfolding plan of God.

But glorification by word or music of ANY personality outside of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, should have no place in a “worship” service.

“I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to idols (Isa. 42: 8 NASB2020).”

God is not glorified, or worshiped as He desires to be worshipped, praised, or pleased, if the hymn or song contains errant lyrics, no matter how otherwise beautiful the melody of the music may be.

The problem with frequently recited Scripture, pre-written prayers, or lyrics, is that many of those involved in repeating same, do so without accurate knowledge of the words they speak or sing.

Man people can accurately quote both Scripture and lyrics, but do not know what they are actually praying for or singing about.

Many, for example, pray for Thy will to be done, but what the really mean is for My will to be done.

In Matt. 6: 9, Jesus taught that ALL prayers are to addressed to God the Father, yet the practice of praying to personalities outside of the Trinity has found a home within some sectors of the Christian Community.

As of the Church Age, prayers are to be addressed to God the Father, in the name (authority/access given to us) by the Lord Jesus Christ.

As in the case of all effective spiritual activity, the believer must be filled by, and in fellowship with, God the Holy Spirit.

All three Members of the Trinity have divine omniscience and play a role in our prayer life, but Jesus taught that our prayers are to be addressed to God the Father.

Among other things, this practice keeps us away from entertaining idolatry (1).

Just as God and His spokespersons use the unadulterated Gospel Message to evangelize, the devil and his spokespersons promote false gospel messages (and accompanying practices) to leave those they deceive with the impression that they are saved and Heaven bound, when they are not.

To be saved and heaven bound, you MUST be born again (2).

While God and His spokespersons uses accurate Bible Doctrine to promote post (after) salvation discipleship, the devil and his spokespersons promote human viewpoint, false doctrine, and accompanying practices in their place.

Just as in the case of the John 8: 44 group (who believed they were in good standing with God), one’s ignorance can cause him to unwittingly become a spokesperson for the devil.

There is no false information more potentially destructive than the false information that comes from an apostate (3) pulpit, or misguided, well-intentioned, person in a position of trust.

Jesus had some harsh words for the John 8: 44 self-confident group.

“You are of your Father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your Father. He was a murderer from the best inning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8: 44 NASB 2020).”

End of Part One

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(1) Exod. 20: 4, 5 (2) John 3: 5, 7 (3) 1Tim. 4: 1