I've been struggling a lot lately with worship music. I'm trying to come up with a complex answer to what I know in my heart to be true. The argument can be complex, and both sides have very good points. Some don't like repitition and simple lyrics. I've heard that words should be complex and deep, almost like a sermon. Forget the simple lines of worship, the only real worship is when days of thought go into one or two lines.
But I can't agree with that. Not entirely, anyway. The simple answer is that music transcends words. It is what we cannot express in words alone. It's our soul crying out. The part of us that needs more and can only speak with more than words have to offer. And sometimes repitition and simple lyrics allow the music to penetrate the soul, whereas more complex words hinder it. We try to express with words what cannot be expressed, and in doing that, we hinder the power of music.
It is well with my soul.
Such a powerful song, yet the words are so simple. I don't think the words are so simple though. Shakespeare mastered the art of saying much with very few words. Our language can be powerful if approached and used as an art form. "If in the while I think on thee, dear friend, all losses restored and sorrows end."
My point is that not all worship music has to be spelled out. We don't need a map to tell us exactly what we're singing about. It is well with my soul. What is well? IT is well. When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul. Those words alone make me want to worship. The simple truth of them. The power in those few, carefully chosen words.
I was carried to the table. Seated where I don't belong.
What else needs to be said? The song doesn't say why we don't belong. It doesn't go into details. Just that I don't belong. We know why. We don't need to be told.
Music is a powerful tool when used correctly. When we try too hard to preach through music, we deaden it. We lessen the power it has to reach into our souls. I don't think we should ever forget this. I don't think it's wise to ignore music with simple lyrics if the lyrics reach out and speak past what is being said in words alone.
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