These have been added to the post on 9 characteristics of a Christian’s Music, but I have put them here separately for your convenience.
Psalms 47:6-7
Christianity has often been referred to as the singing religion. Well, I agree! As Christians we have much to sing about! We have a Savior who was crucified for our sins! 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: He now sits at the right hand of the father interceding for us! That should cause any Christian to sing! Jesus believed in singing. He sang a hymn with his disciples as he went to his death. Paul and Silas sang and prayed as a testimony while in jail. "Moody, the great evangelist, said that his singer, Sankey, sang more souls into the kingdom than he ever reached as a preacher." We as Christians should tell the story of Jesus in song. We are told to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and to sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord. Let us share that song that is in our hearts and carry the message of Christ to all.
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)
- Christian Heritage Media – 1900 vintage music
- Soundforth – BJU Press
- Al Smith’s Ministries
- Staff of Life Publications
- Sacred Music Services
- Ideal Sacred Music
- Bible Truth Music
- Jantz Music Publications
- pdfPiano.com
- Majesty Music
- Murray Music Ministries
- Pinner Publications and Musical Services
- The Wilds
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OLD HYMNS I lost the world with its sin and shame, when I found Jesus, O praise His name! I lost my sorrow-what a blessed loss! When I found mercy at Cal-v'ry's cross. I lost the fetters that held me fast, I found a freedom from sin at last; I lost the world and the world lost me, "Thanks be to Jesus" my song shall be. Chorus: I lost the world and the world lost me, When I found pardon at Calvary; I lost all my sadness, but I found peace and gladness, When I lost the world and the world lost me. ~Haldor Lillenas, Great Salvation Songs, Lillenas Publishing CO. 1924.
******************************************** Do I treasure music for entertainment or music that enriches my soul because it is based on the God's Word? Psalms 135:1-3 Hallelujah! Praise the name of Jehovah; praise, ye servants of Jehovah, Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise ye Jah; for Jehovah is good: sing psalms unto his name; for it is pleasant. Psalms 135:5-6 For *I* know that Jehovah is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, he hath done in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all deeps;
’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus - (from 200 Amazing Hymn Stories)
- Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. When I pass through death's shadows, He is there comforting, keeping me from the evil one. The evil on has no claim on my soul for I am a child of the King and shall dwell in His palace someday
Words: Harriet E. Buell, 1877.
Music: John B. Sumner, 1877
My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.
Refrain
I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King.
My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;
But now He is pleading our pardon on high,
That we may be His when He comes by and by.
Refrain
I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, an alien by birth,
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.
Refrain
A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.
Refrain
- Jehovah is Good!
- It is pleasant to sing Psalms unto Him!
- Praise the Lord for His greatness!
- He does what please Him!
- May I be reminded to praise Him at all times!
Wonderful Words of Life
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life, Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
Refrain
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life, Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Christ, the blessèd One, gives to all wonderful words of life; Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life; All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.
Refrain
Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, sanctify us forever.
Refrain
Oh, that I would want to fill my mind and heart with more and more of God's Word! That way I can truly speak to myself in psalm and hymns and spiritual songs.
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"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)
“’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” was written by a woman, Louisa M. R. Stead. Out of one of her darkest hours—the tragic drowning of her husband—this hymn was penned.
Louisa Stead was born in England. She felt the call of God upon her life for missionary service. She arrived in America in 1871. In 1875, Louisa married a Mr. Stead, and to this union was born a daughter, Lily. When the child was four years of age, the family decided one day to enjoy the sunny beach at Long Island Sound, New York.
While eating their picnic lunch, they suddenly heard cries of help and spotted a drowning boy in the sea. Mr. Stead charged into the water. As often happens, however, the struggling boy pulled his rescuer under the water with him, and both drowned before the terrified eyes of wife and daughter.
And out of her struggle with God during the ensuing days, flowed these meaningful words—“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”
—Adapted from Kenneth Osbeck
TUNE YOUR HEARTS TO GOD
Fanny Crosby - MY SONG SHALL BE OF JESUS Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said:
MY MUSIC PHILOSOPHY IN A NUT SHELL Psalms 40:3
Fanny Crosby - MY SONG SHALL BE OF JESUS Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said:
It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.In her lifetime, Fanny Crosby was one of the best known women in the United States. To this day, the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work.
~copied from cyberhymnal.org
Below is one of her hymns. It has such beautiful words.
My song shall be of Jesus; His mercy crowns my days, He fills my cup with blessings, And tunes my heart to praise; My song shall be of Jesus, The precious Lamb of God ; Who gave Himself my ransom , And bought me with His blood.
My song shall be of Jesus; When, sitting at His feet, I call to mind His goodness, In meditation sweet; My song shall be of Jesus, Whatever ill betide; I’ll sing the grace that saves me, And keeps me at His side.
My song shall be of Jesus, While pressing on my way To reach the blissful region Of pure and perfect day. And when my soul shall enter The gate of Eden fair, A song of praise to Jesus I’ll sing forever there.
There is an arrangement and a chorus written by David West. You can find that HERE MY MUSIC PHILOSOPHY IN A NUT SHELL Psalms 40:3
And he hath put
a new song in my mouth,
even praise unto our God:
many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in the LORD.
This is my music philosophy in a nut shell. My music should reflect my new nature. The words that come out of my mouth or my musical instruments should reflect a new song that God has put into my heart when He saved me! As this new song is reflected in my music and my praise is given to God, this will cause many to see it and fear and to trust in the Lord! By my song others should know who my God is!
There is no argument about whether certain music is right or wrong. It should be very clear whether or not that music is showing forth the new song that God has given us! Would a child of the devil take his words and put them to the music of our great hymns and gospel songs? NO! Then why would a christian say it is ok to take our words and put them to the music that the world offers? Think about it!
He put a new song in my mouth
I'll sing it o'er and o'er
Even praise unto our God
I'll sing it more and more
I pray that many will see it and fear
May my life shine forth the Word
So that others will trust in the Lord
Because of what they've seen and heard.
Psalms 47:6-7
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King,
sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth:
sing ye praises with understanding.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer! For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died. He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified. Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows, Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer! Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever. Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King! Christ is coming! over the world victorious, Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.
How often are we singing praises to God? Four times in these two verses it tells us to sing praises to God. God thought it was important.
We are to sing praise with understanding. Understand who God is! He is the King of the universe, all powerful!
Understand who and what you are singing about lest you use God's name lightly and take His name in vain!
Praise Him, Praise Him
Words: Fanny Crosby, Music: Chester G. Allen Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer! Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory; Strength and honor give to His holy Name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children, In His arms He carries them all day long:
Refrain
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness. Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Christianity has often been referred to as the singing religion. Well, I agree! As Christians we have much to sing about! We have a Savior who was crucified for our sins! 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: He now sits at the right hand of the father interceding for us! That should cause any Christian to sing! Jesus believed in singing. He sang a hymn with his disciples as he went to his death. Paul and Silas sang and prayed as a testimony while in jail. "Moody, the great evangelist, said that his singer, Sankey, sang more souls into the kingdom than he ever reached as a preacher." We as Christians should tell the story of Jesus in song. We are told to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and to sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord. Let us share that song that is in our hearts and carry the message of Christ to all.
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)