This is Part 6 of our series “Why We Do What We Do.”
In every generation God’s people have sung songs of worship. Each generation sings songs that have been passed down from those who have gone before, and each generation writes brand new songs that will be gifted to those who follow. There is a richness in the whole spectrum of old and new which allows us to experience both a familiarity and a freshness. Let’s explore this richness a little further.
Old Songs. I have a warm place in my heart for the songs that I grew up with. I remember as a child sitting on the hard wooden pew of our little church in Joshua Tree, California, listening carefully to my mom’s voice as she sang the hymns, trying to follow along with her alto harmonies (not very successfully at first!). I remember groups of friends joining us at our house after a Sunday night service, singing song after song at the top of our lungs (my dad’s rich bass being the most boisterous of all). I remember thinking, “Who wrote these songs? What was their story?” It linked me to previous generations of Christians who had lived and learned at the feet of Jesus. And now when I hear these songs I’m brought back to those people who worshiped with us in that little church, many of whom now worship before the throne in heaven. So one very good reason to sing old songs is, as Bob Kauflin states, because “I never want to forget that my generation isn’t the first to think about and pursue biblical worship.” Psalm 45:17 says, “I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.”
There are other good reasons to sing old songs. They “speak the language” of people in our congregation who grew up with this type of music. Their lyrics, themes, and imagery may be different from some of the newer songs, adding another layer of understanding to the truths of Scripture. Singing more familiar songs can free us to worship instead of having to concentrate on learning new words and melodies (though it doesn’t take long for any song to become familiar to us once we’ve sung it a few times).
New songs. I remember going to my first worship service at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa as a high schooler. I’d never heard the songs before, and I’d never experienced such freedom in worship. My spirit was stirred and I was given a new passion for worshiping the Lord with all my heart and soul. Since then, I have been constantly impressed with the gifted songwriters God continues to raise up to write songs that edify the church and glorify the Lord. These songs strike new chords deep within, whether they brings a freshness to my praise, a conviction to my conscience, or a depth to my understanding of God’s grace toward me.
From Jubal to the Levitical temple musicians to David to the early church to the saints around the throne, there has always been and always will be a new song being sung by God’s people. Why is this a good thing? Well, of course, first and foremost because Scripture many times tells us to sing a “new song” (Psalm 33:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10). Someday before the throne of God we will again be singing a “new song” (Revelation 5:9; 14:3). But why does Scripture tell us to do this? I believe there are several reasons. First, the Lord of creation gives creativity to people in each generation to further His kingdom and build up His church, including the gift of songwriting. Second, music we haven’t sung before opens up our ear to hear old truths in fresh ways. Third, there may be specific things the Lord desires to impress on the church at given times, and new songs can speak well to this. And fourth, each generation has its own musical sensitivity, so new music connects well what that generation.
Not all old songs have stood the test of time. As worship leader Andy Crouch points out, even Isaac Watts and Fanny Crosby wrote many songs that “wore out within a generation.” But “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “Blessed Assurance” seem to be here to stay. And many of the songs being written and sung today may be only effective in this generation, but a few will be standouts. If I had to guess which of today’s songs will last, two of my top choices would be “In Christ Alone” and “Blessed Be Your Name.” But only God knows, and time will tell.
There is a danger inherent both in clinging to old songs and in always searching for the newest. Traditions can inform and anchor us, but they also can become dry and meaningless. New songs can bring freshness and relevance, but always searching for the “latest and greatest” can become more important than an abiding faithfulness to God. New songs, old songs — like any other tool that God uses, we frail humans can be quite adept at turning what’s meant for good into a thing of idolatry. So let’s always be on guard against such attitudes. The best defense is to sing any song, old or new, with a humble heart that only desires to please the Lord. And with that He will be honored, and our worship will be a fragrant offering to Him.
