Sing a Hymn With Me
In this week’s study of the Gospel of Mark, we finish the exposition of the Last Supper. Our subject for this sermon is the benediction as our Lord and His apostles ended their fellowship meal with the singing of a hymn. Mark wrote, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” Today’s exposition is a brief journey into the type of hymn they used and the possible subjects of the verses they sang.
Hymnology has been a significant and special part of the worship of Jehovah God since Israel began formal worship in the construction of the tabernacle, a place where He would meet with His people. Moses instructed formal songs in Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 31:19, 30 with the words of the former in chapter 32. In Numbers 10 during the wilderness wanderings, musical instruments received approval to enhance worship. God specifically chose Levites for them and all worship duties in the tabernacle and temple. Thus, when David formalized worship duties in preparation for building the temple, the order was specific and proceeded with strict protocols (1 Chronicles 25). At the dedication of the temple by Solomon, he used David’s arrangement with the Levitical singers dressed in fine linen accompanied by 120 priests blowing trumpets (2 Chronicles 5:12-14). The scene and sounds were overwhelmingly magnificent. A cloud of the glory of the Lord followed their refrain of praise, “For he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.” The cloud filled the house of God preventing the priests from their ministrations. Hundreds of years later, Hezekiah restored David’s original musical arrangements in his reforms. The notation follows that the commandment was from the Lord (2 Chronicles 29:25-28).
This is a remarkable history which shows that singing songs and playing instruments in the worship setting is well-pleasing to God. The New Testament church did not abandon this practice. Ephesians 5:18-21 says the filling of the Holy Spirit will result in worshipping God in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Colossians 3:16-17 parallels this thought that singing is by the grace of God. I would ask you to remember Moses received the worship order of the tabernacle and temple as a pattern of the heavenly (Hebrews 9:23). We should not be surprised that music would be a part of heavenly worship (Revelation 5:9, 14:3, 15:1-3).
What impression do we receive from these inspiring examples from scripture? If you conclude the singing and instrumentation of the church should sound like back-alley trash cans banging with musicians and artists (?) who are without an ounce of understanding or godly consecration when entering God’s presence, we get what today’s churches mostly have. None of it needs to be professional, much less does it need those who think they are professionals. What musical performances in churches do you think would rank with God’s commands in Exodus or 2 Chronicles, or would pass the barest muster of angelic review?
If music were our greatest concern, we might well fix it with thoughtful adjustments. Sadly, the music permitted in churches stems from the preaching permitted in pulpits. The scriptures speak of people with “itching ears” who want weak, unsound doctrine to satisfy their lusts rather than hearing godly reprimands for their sin. Will they do something more substantial and praiseworthy with music? No, the tin sounding beer-swilling of a honkey-tonk will do. This would be amusing and unimaginable in our minds if it did not ring so true.
I have heard magnificent choirs and trained soloists and other musicians in churches. I thank God for the beautiful, sweet sounds of both them and enthralling congregational singing. My article is not purposely critical of them. As desirable as they may be, God gifts churches differently. Our worship is not less sweet than theirs when we say, “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
Pastor V. Mark Smith