From the True to the Good to the Beautiful

I Chronicles 25:1–8

“David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service: From the sons of Asaph: Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision. As for Jeduthun, from his sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the LORD. As for Heman, from his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.) All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the LORD—they numbered 288. Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.”

God is the creator of all beauty and that includes the pleasure of music in our ears, in our songs. The philosopher Aristotle spoke of the progression “from the true, to the good, to the beautiful,” logic, ethics, and aesthetics, these find their ultimate exemplification in the nature of God. I don’t necessarily believe that a musical piece isn’t Christian without the lyrics, it’s not only the cantatas and oratorios that are religious, but any music, even instrumental, if the composition inspired by God, is worship-directed. It has been told that after a show, one came up to Baroque composer George Friedrich Handel and remarked that the audience “really enjoyed” his music. “Enjoyed?!” incredulous Handel retorted, “I was hoping for more than that, that they would be better people!” On the other hand, notes and melodies that perhaps weren’t initially worship-directed can be redeemed by words, redirected and rededicated towards God, such as the Christmas standard, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, to which its lyricist Hugh Martin crafted a new set of words and changed it to “Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas” when he became a Christian himself (link to the .mp3 I bought, I always like to share it in the lead up to Christmas: http://bit.ly/2BpbsMZ Enjoy! And let us be better people 😁). But I agree, that songs, poetry, lyrics set in music, simply yet powerfully proclaim God’s truth in a way that connects at the deepest springs of our emotions, right there in our hearts. “Words make you think. Music makes you feel. A song makes you feel a thought” said American composer Yip Harburg. The Apostle Paul tells us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Col 3:16).” Like in the time of king David, it is a ministry of prophesying, praise and worship, and expressing God’s truth and love, “accompanied by harps, lyres, and cymbals (v. 1).” Let us fill our minds with songs that speak of God’s truth all the days of our lives. May we direct our desires and all the pleasure in the beauty of music and song towards worship. “Praise the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD (Psa 150:1–6)!”