Using Music to Comfort and Edify in Church Communities
The Role of Music in Comforting and Edifying Church Communities
The use of music in church communities to comfort and edify is rooted in biblical teachings and has been a significant aspect of Christian worship throughout history. The Bible encourages believers to use music as a form of expression and worship, as seen in Ephesians 5:19, where it is written, "Joining with one another in holy songs of praise and of the Spirit, using your voice in songs and making melody in your heart to the Lord" [1]. Similarly, Psalms 95:2 exhorts, "Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song" [2].
The early Christian church continued this tradition, with various forms of music being used in worship. According to John Calvin, the early church adopted the practice of singing psalms from the Eastern churches [6]. This practice was not limited to any particular denomination but was a widespread tradition. For instance, Augustine notes that the custom of singing hymns from the book of Psalms was practiced in Africa during his time [6].
The purpose of music in Christian worship is multifaceted. It is used to praise God, to comfort the afflicted, and to edify the community. James 5:13 instructs, "Is anyone cheerful? Let him praise in song" [3], indicating that music is a suitable expression of joy and gratitude. Conversely, music can also be a source of comfort in times of sorrow or hardship.
Theological perspectives on the role of music in worship vary among Christian traditions. Thomas Aquinas argues that singing is an effective means of arousing devotion towards God, as different melodies can evoke various emotions and spiritual responses [5]. John Calvin also commends the use of singing in worship, provided that the feeling of the mind accompanies the voice [4].
In the view of some Reformed theologians, such as John Gill, music is seen as a means of expressing joy and celebrating the blessings of God. Gill comments on Isaiah 52:9, noting that the watchmen will sing together, celebrating the restoration of Jerusalem [9]. This interpretation highlights the role of music in expressing communal joy and gratitude.
The historical development of music in Christian worship has been influenced by various factors, including cultural and liturgical practices. The use of musical instruments, for example, has been a subject of debate among different Christian traditions. Adam Clarke notes that the singing in ancient Israelite worship was likely a form of recitative or chanting, and questions the use of musical instruments in the house of God under the Gospel dispensation [7].
Despite these differences, the underlying principle that music is a vital component of Christian worship remains a common thread across various traditions. As the early church father, Lactantius, describes, the clergy and laity come together in solemn assemblies for religious worship, which likely included music [8].
The comfort and edification derived from music in church communities are closely tied to its ability to evoke emotional and spiritual responses. According to Aquinas, the human soul is moved in various ways by different melodies, making music a useful tool in worship [5]. This understanding is reflected in the practice of using music to comfort the afflicted and to celebrate times of joy.
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:19 (BBE) — Joining with one another in holy songs of praise and of the Spirit, using your voice in songs and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
- Psalms “Psalms 95:2 (BSB) — Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song.”
- James “James 5:13 (LITV) — Does anyone suffer ill among you? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him praise in song.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid,” ( Isa. 29:13 ). Still we do not condemn words or singing, but rather greatly commend them, provided the feeling of the mind goes along with them. For in this way the thought of God is kept alive on our minds, which, from their fickle and versatile nature, soon relax, and are distracted by various objects, unless various means are used to support them. Besides, since the glory of God ought in a manner to be displaye”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Taking the Divine Name for the Purpose of Invoking It by Means of Praise, Art. 2: Article: Whether God should be praised with song? I answer that, As stated above (Article [1]), the praise of the voice is necessary in order to arouse man's devotion towards God. Wherefore whatever is useful in conducing to this result is becomingly adopted in the divine praises. Now it is evident that the human soul is moved in various ways according to various melodies of sound, as the Philosopher state (Polit. viii, 5), and also ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: followed by the other Western churches. He had said a little before that the custom came from the East. 483 483 The French adds, “o˜ on en avoit tousjours usé;”—where it had always been used. He also intimates (Retract. Lib. 2) that it was received in Africa in his own time. His words are, “Hilarius, a man of tribunitial rank, assailed with the bitterest invectives he could use the custom which then began to exist at Carthage, of singing hymns from the book of Psalms at the altar, either before the oblation, or when it was distribu”
- 1 Chronicles (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Chronicles 6:39: Asaph - This person, with Heman, the sons of Kora, Ethan, Jeduthun, etc., are celebrated in these books, and in the Psalms, for their skill in singing, and the part they performed in the public worship of God. It is very likely that their singing was only a kind of recitative or chanting, such as we still find in the synagogues. It does not appear that God had especially appointed these singers, much less any musical instruments, (the silver trumpets excepted), to be employed in his service. Musical instruments in the house of God are, at least under the Gospe”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — AN EXACT DESCRIPTION OF A CHURCH AND THE CLERGY, AND WHAT THINGS IN PARTICULAR EVERY ONE IS TO DO IN THE SOLEMN ASSEMBLIES OF THE CLERGY AND LAITY FOR, RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. (part 1): LVII. But be thou, O bishop, holy, unblameable, no striker, not soon angry, not cruel; but a builder up, a converter, apt to teach, forbear-ing of evil, of a gentle mind, meek, long-suffering, ready to exhort, ready to comfort, as a man of God. When thou callest an assembly of the Church as one that is the commander of a great ship, appoint the asse”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 52:9: Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem,.... This is what the watchmen shall say when they lift up their voice; this will be one part of their song, and the intent of it; to observe to the members of the churches, which shall be constituted in those parts which were formerly barren and desolate, what wonderful things the Lord has done in bringing again Zion; in building up the ruins of it; in the clear light of the Gospel he has caused to break forth, and in the good tidings of peace and salvation published; on account of all which they are c”