There should be a balance between melody, harmony and rhythm
Sometime ago I came across a declaration made by Ellen C. White, which impressed me very strongly. She described a social gathering at Battle Creek, attended by believers and she made the following comment: "One was seated at the instrument of music, and such songs were poured forth to make the watching angels weep." Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 83.
Truly, the situation here described is only a social gathering and not a spiritual meeting; but it is also true that the persons present were "none other than those who professed to believe the truth."
We know that there is good as well as bad music, popular, spiritual and sensual, holy and satanic. However, to think about somebody who professes to believe the truth playing music that causes the angels to weep, makes us think that the dividing line between the holy and evil, in this case, may not be as clear and evident as we sometimes imagine. It is too subtle to be underestimated. Many times it is almost impossible to be discerned.
As I read the above-mentioned commentary, suddenly my mind began to wander. I saw myself sitting at the piano during a Sabbath service, accompanying during the worship hour. In my mind I saw myself partaking of the praise that individuals and vocal groups were presenting, and for which I was in a great measure responsible for having taught them and for having chosen the selections that they were going to present. Would those pieces be praising God.
Would the angels in the congregation enjoy the melody, harmony, style, and rhythm being presented? Would my style of playing, my way of conducting what I always considered "praise" make the angels cry?
"Singing is part of worship to God, but the haphazard way in which is frequently done, is not a compliment to the truth, nor an honor to God." Ellen G. White in Review and Herald, August 24, 1883. Furthermore: "Music can be a great power for good; and even so we don't take full advantage of it in our worship service." Evangelism, p. 505.
I have the impression that those two thoughts are sufficient to open our eyes to the realization that things may not be going too well, as we may sometimes imagine, in the musical aspect during worship in our churches.
Adoration
It is possible that when the question is asked: "Why should a person go to church?" One may hear answers such as: "because it is pleasant," "because that is how we were taught and we became accustomed to doing that," or "to listen to a sermon," or "to listen to beautiful songs, presented artistically." Those answers really are not in themselves untrue. However, should those be the only reasons that would lead us to church?
"To the humble, believing soul, the house of God on earth is the gate of heaven. The song of praise, the prayer, the words spoken by Christ's representatives, are God's appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that defileth." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 491.
Thus, the genuine worship must involve the entire being, the intellect, the emotions and the will, as the psalmist says: "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name" (Psalm 103:1)
As we analyze the biblical references on worship, we find the basic points of the real experience in divine worship. For those points we must indicate each of the parts that constitute the worship service.
The prophet Isaiah (6:1-8) presents five items of worship, which can never be ignored. They are:
1. God's revelation, His greatness, His power, and praise as a human response (Isa. 6:1-3).
2. Acknowledgment and confession of the smallness and sinfulness of human beings (Isa. 6:8).
3. Divine forgiveness and the cleansing of iniquity.
4. God's exhortation and the call to serve (Isa. 6:8).
5. Consecration or dedication as a result (Isa. 6:8b).
To summarize, we could define the objectives of worship as an act of returning to God a reality for the worshipers, help them to grow in Christian virtues, motivating in them a desire for sacrifice and consecration. All of which brings as a result a new lifestyle. In the process of obtaining those objectives, each of those worship elements will perform one of two rolls: impression (touching the soul with God's revelation), or of expression (man's answer to the divine call). Music plays both rolls, which points out its importance in worship.
Many times, the sermon occupies the first place during the worship hour. However, considering how important that is, we must take into account that this is only a part of worship which includes the reading of Scripture, songs, prayers, offerings, etc.; then, the contents as well as the people, their lifestyle, their behavior, and the way in which they develop the part assigned to them, is of as great importance as the sermon or the preacher.
Expression
The main purpose of music in worship is: Tell God our feelings, anxieties, our requests and confessions. In that way the participation of the congregation should never be forgotten or underestimated. It's true that choirs and soloists or groups can offer praise in a more artistic manner. However, congregational singing should always have preference during the worship service.
In addition and within that frame it's good to remember that if praising the Lord is an answer of gratitude, it should never be gloomy, melancholic or humanistic. On the contrary it should radiate heavenly love and happiness. As Ellen G. White reminds us: "Don't play a sad note; don't sing mournful hymns" (Letter 311, 1905). It is regretful that in many churches the congregational singing is more like a heavy burden that must be dragged.
The manner of giving praise and what motivates us to do it are two things that are equally important. The words can be pious and sung enthusiastically. If by chance, the motives are different, the singing will be an expression of fanaticism and hypocrisy. However, only God knows the true motives of the soul, and here it is proper to ask: What motivates us to sing as a church or choral groups? Gratitude? Desire to praise God? Personal vanity? Do we sing to reveal Christ or to exhibit our vocal abilities or the harmony of our voices? What is remembered when the voices cease? The depth and the urgency of the message, the beauty of the apparel, the voices and arrangements, or the power of the modern sound equipment?
If the singing was not motivated by a deep love for Christ, and to express gratitude even if it's unbelievably beautiful and artistic, it is not praise. It is a show, a secular concert, or any title you wish to give it. It's proper for any place except for a church.
Impression
As a means of impression, music sets the proper atmosphere to praise God. Acting on the nervous system "it can produce diverse moods and establish many different situations such as happiness, joy, sadness, peace, majesty, etc., and many times perhaps only an environment for worship if that much, according to Joao Faustini in Musica e Adoracao, p. 20.
If there is no discretion in choosing the music that will serve as prelude, congregational singing or special presentation, the effect of the worship hour on the worshipers can become minimal. Likewise, unaccompanied by the words, music produces an effect on the individual. If it were really sacred music and properly played it would awaken devotion, even though the words do not exist or are not totally understood.
There are three basic elements in music: melody, harmony, and rhythm. Melody appeals to the emotions; harmony to the intellect; and rhythm to the body. Which of the three elements should predominate in worship music? Should melody be the principal factor, our songs would be purely emotional. Religion is not purely sentimental. Should harmony be emphasized, in detriment of melody and rhythm, we have a rational music, and therefore very cold, it doesn't have any influence on the heart or the soul. If rhythm be given preference, music will be sensual, carnal and therefore, inappropriate.
Music is only spiritual and appropriate as a means to impress the church service, when there is equilibrium between melody, harmony, and rhythm. None of them should be more prominent than the others, because when this takes place, it fails to transmit a message to the whole man, depriving him of a transforming influence.
Johann Sebastian Bach used to place on the top part of his pieces the initials S. D. G. (Soli Deo Gloria), which means "only to the glory of God."
That should be the primary objective of music in the worship service: to impress the soul with the glory of God, prepare the heart so that it will respond with its praises and adoration to the Divinity's loving and majestic demonstrations.
God is holy (Lev. 19:2). Music should inspire holiness. Holy is that which is separated for a holy purpose. Therefore, worship music should not remind us in the least of popular music, whether it be in rhythm, melody, harmony, or style.
God is love (1 John 4:8). Music should awaken in the worshipers love for God and fellowmen.
God does not always identifies Himself with explosive manifestation, He also reveals Himself in a soft and delicate voice (1 King 19:12). The music that God reveals to the worshipers is sober, soft and delicate as He is.
God is merciful (2 Chron. 30:9). Thus, worship should appeal to the spirit and not to the flesh.
God is pure (1 John 3:3). Likewise, worship music should be pure as He is pure, in its origin, harmony, ideas, performance, identity and its style.
The music that is not like God will not bring us closer to Him, and therefore should have no place in the worship of the Most High. This is not a matter of choice, but of principle.
Carlos Alberto Alvarenga is pastor of the Central Church of Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Translated by Antonio A. Rios.
