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Why Have Music In Church? Psalms 68:4 instructs us to "Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him" (Psalms 68:4). To sing praises unto God, to extol him, and to rejoice before him, that should be the purpose for the music in every church. The full phrase in Psalms 68:4 includes... sing praises to his name. Many of today's churches sing songs of praise but they ignore the last three words "to his name". "Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;" (I Chronicles 16:7-12). From that verse we should understand several phrases that apply when it comes to singing praises "to his name". The Jews were told to make known his deeds; talk of his works; remember his marvelous works, wonders and judgments and glory in his name. This verse reveals clearly that our praises are to be to his name. Lifting up Jesus Christ through praise and worship invokes the Lord’s presence and power to flow in our midst. Jesus spoke about the hypocrisy of the pharisees, whose worship was only an outward show and not from the heart. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8). Genuine praise to God is a matter of humility and sincere devotion to the Lord from within. Extol is a verb meaning to praise highly; to glorify; to exalt or honor. Our singing should glorify, exalt and honor God. Psalm 68:4 reveals specifically who to extol: "Him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH". A Jewish Rabbi depicts this to be a righteous judge riding on a horse to execute judgment on those who have done wickedness. Also, according to Jewish mindset, anytime you have half a man's name, it refers to his son and JAH is half of JEHOVAH. Read Revelation 19:11-16. Having been instructed about singing praises and extoling, we are also specifically told about rejoicing. We read that the Christians rejoicing must be "before him". Many church congregations are demanding new and different music that produces an emotional feeling of 'rejoicing', but Christians must not rejoice because of the music; they must instead rejoice with the music. The word of Christ is what they are to have dwell in their hearts, not the music. Again referencing II Chronicles 16:8-12 we see the Scriptures tell us to call upon his name; rejoice in your heart; seek the Lord, his strength, his face. With these in mind, hopefully you have gained a better understanding of Psalms 68:4. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" (Ephesians 5:19). The purpose for music in every church must be to sing praises unto God, to extol him, and to rejoice before him.
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