Notes on the Words and Terms Used In Our Songs

by Roger and Becky Williams -A- Abba – Aramaic for father; Mark 14:36 abhor – to shrink away from with disgust abide – to continue to stay; remain; wait abode – a dwelling place; home acclamation – strong approval or loud applause accord – being in agreement; harmony adoration – devoted love, respect, and honor…

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Is it okay to listen to secular music?

Question: Hi! I have e-mailed before concerning if we could have facial hair. I have come to you again for some help concerning secular music. My question is: Is it ok to listen to it or is it against God’s Word? I myself believe that it serves no purpose but to pervert the Good News of…

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Is the use of a “praise team” scriptural?

Question: Have you heard of this idea of having a “praise team” in the song service of some churches?  This is confusing to me because it would seem that it would place women in a leadership role if they were part of the “team” leading the congregation.  What are your thoughts on this? Answer: A…

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The Amazing History of Instrumental Music in Christian Worship

by Allen Webster “I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (I Corinthians 14:15). In the average person’s mind, gospel singing and organ music go together like “rock” and “roll” or “blues” and “rhythm” or “hip” and “hop.” It is assumed, expected, even celebrated. Most would be genuinely surprised…

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Evaluating New Songs

by Mark Roberts in Abundant Life via Meditate on These Things For the longest time, it seemed brethren were fairly certain Sacred Selections contained just about every hymn that needed to be sung. Like it or not, that has certainly changed. Many congregations are now using some other hymnal other than Sacred Selections. Many congregations have also added…

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Worship the King (Song)

Midi Tune: https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Worship-The-King-Music.mid Sheet Music: Loading… Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [1.08 MB]

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How do you know that Ephesians 5:19 is speaking about worship?

Question: I understand which verses talk about singing, but the main verse used by the churches of Christ to back up their singing is found in Ephesians. However, the verses prior to and after do not imply anything about worship. The prior verse speaks of not being drunk from wine wherein is excess. Did the…

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Should I only listen to “Christian” music?

Question: What kind of music is prohibited? For the longest time, I have been listening to music that isn’t “Christian,” but nothing that is profane or that gives a bad message or talks about lewd or gross things. When I listen to my music, it makes me happier and helps me deal with some of…

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The Spiritual Simplicity of Our Singing

by Paul Earnhart In the 1940s Elmer T. Clark observed that is “a peculiar type of mind which is convinced that God is interested in whether his worshipers sing with or without instrumental music” (Small Sects in America, p. 16). Clark’s words carry a twentieth-century bias. The truth is that the mind that he thought…

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Music in Worship

I.          As we look at the denominations around us, we find that the vast majority use musical instruments in their worship services.              A.         Oddly, we don’t. Why not? What harm would there be in using them? Why can’t we be like those around us?              B.         I heard a similar reasoning before – I Sam. 8:4-7. We want a…

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Can Musical Instruments be Used to Worship God?

I.          One of the distinguishing marks of our worship is the fact that we do not use instrumental music in our worship.              A.         It is certainly different among the denominations where almost all use instruments.              B.         Lately, I been hearing of numerous congregations deciding to add instrumental music to their worship.                           1.          The reasoning that was so well known…

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What musical instruments were used in ancient Greece?

Question: What musical instruments were used in ancient Greek times? Answer: The Greeks had a variety of instruments, such as the flute, the lyre, the harp, drums, cymbals, and castanets. There were also several horns (wind instruments). A detailed list can be found at: The Musical Instruments of Ancient Greeks Ancient Greek Music. It was…

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Sons of Jacob (Children’s Class Song)

by Jeanie Pratt Please feel free to use the following lyrics which I wrote many years ago. I could not remember the usual version and wanted the order of birth. I sing this to the tune of Jesus Loves Me. I have a poster board with the song. I color code the boys’ names by…

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The Songs That We Sing

by Wayne S. Walker As I was growing up, I loved to join in the singing of hymns and gospel songs during church services and other occasions where people gathered together to praise God in song, and through the years with my general love of music I have maintained an active interest in the songs…

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We are Going Down the Valley

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         Let us read I Cor. 15:50-58 II.        In our song books there is a spiritual song written by Jessie Brown Pounds             A.        She lived from 1861 to 1921 in Hiram, Ohio. Both she and her family were members of the Lord’s church.             B.        We sing many songs that are based on her poems:                         1.         The…

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