Worship Arts Month, Part IV: "The Sounds of the Church"

For this fourth Sunday of Worship Arts Month, we looked at some history of music in the church, going back to instruments and historic moments from the Old Testament through the 19th century.

Painting from Old Testament era of a harp

Old Testament-era pottery painting of a Psaltery

Replica of a harp such as David would have played in Old Testament era

Coin from Old Testament time depicting horns on one side and a lyre on the other

Combination Lyre/Guitar from early 1800s

"Square piano" from the 1800s

Ira Sankey, called the "Father of Gospel Music"

Fanny J Crosby, lyricist and poet whose hymns are featured in thousands of hymnals still today

Here are some highlights of the history of "The Sounds of the Church"

A Bullet-Point History of Music in the Church

·       First mention of music in Bible…Jubal is said to be “father of all those who play the lyre and pipe” (Genesis 4:20-21)

·       Tabernacle worship is put into practice as vocal and instrumental praise is directed by David as the Ark of Covenant is delivered into the Tabernacle.  (1 Chronicles 16)

·       Psalms are all songs of praise and worship and confession.  It’s important to note that God found these songs important enough that they are included in the Bible.  David authored many of these Psalms, and was himself an accomplished musician.

·       In the 7th century, organs begin to be used in churches.

·       In the 11th century, the harp arrives in Europe, and the first German Christmas carol is written.

·       In 1640 the first major revised Psalm book was published in the colonies.

·       Johann Sebastian Bach, in 1725, had conflicts with the priesthood.  Nonetheless, he wrote many chorales for them during this time.

    Some interesting side-notes about Bach: 

Bach once said, ‘The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” 

As a church organist, Bach’s abilities were widely respected throughout all of Europe during his lifetime. When asked about his extraordinary organ skills he said, “There’s nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.”

Whenever Bach was finished with a composition for the church, and was satisfied with it, he wrote the initials, “S.D.G.” at the bottom of the piece.  Soli Deo Gloria. “For the Glory of God Alone” He wanted to continuously remember that it wasn’t the accolades or praise or admiration that drove him to compose his masterpieces, but he did so for the honor and glory of God.

·       1750 - John and Charles Wesley, formed the first “invitation hymns”

·       1790 – The beginning of what is called “The 7 Great Awakenings.”  The 2nd Great Awakening, known for the Yale Revival, Camp Meetings, and the Red River Revival.

·       Baptists in New England began to merge folk melodies with classical hymns.  (What?? Pop music with hymn themes??? Baptists???)

     

·       During the 4th Great Awakening, Sunday School Revivals and the D.L. Moody and Ira Sankey campaigns.

  

·       1873 - This revival was headed up by the evangelist Dwight L. Moody and a musician named Ira D. Sankey. Moody's focus was to make services more interesting to draw people in, and he did this through Sankey. Sankey was considered the father of gospel music as he introduced many of the gospel hymns we know of today. This tag team traveled across America and spread the gospel like never before.

The feature of this Sunday was a "Hymn Sing,"  We sang a total of 28 favorite hymns today, each chosen by the church members themselves!  During a medley of 25 of those, we incorporated some stories of the hymn writers.  It was a special morning of worship and fellowship!

Highlights from the Hymn Sing: