O Come, Thou Day-Spring, Come and Cheerthe Presence of a Good Reputation
The sun has indeed come up again. Tomorrow is now today. And in the context of this song, this is Jesus.
Jesus is called the “Day-Spring.” The dayspring is the dawn – it’s that moment, which ebbs and flows according to the season, when light first breaks over the darkness. But it’s more than that – it’s the first sign every day of the dispelling of darkness. It is the daily reminder that the mercies of... Continue Reading
Did We in Our Own Strength Confide? Martin Luther & Our Everlasting Hope
The real meaning of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” is reserved for followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luther’s hymn rings true. Christ arms his servants with spiritual armor, the power of the gospel to save, the authority of the Word of God, and his unflagging promise to build his church. His servants join the battle, but Christ secures the victory. May we find hope not in a hymn, but in Christ’s strength,... Continue Reading
Keith and Kristyn Getty’s New Project Challenges Churches to Rediscover the Power of Psalms in Congregational Worship
Keith & Kristyn Getty announce the release of their latest live album “Sing!: Psalms: Ancient + Modern.”
The Sing! Movement was launched in 2017 with the release of their book, Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church, and grew out of Keith & Kristyn Getty’s vision to propel churches towards a deeper, more dynamic view of artistry, theology and congregational singing. Sing! Psalms: Ancient + Modern, blends hymns, old and... Continue Reading
Erdmann Neumeister and His Pious Orthodoxy
Erdmann Neumeister (1671-1756) hated Pietism but his music was full of vigorous piety and lively devotion
“Born at Uechteritz, Germany, from a schoolmaster and organist, Neumeister studied theology and poetry at the University of Leipzig. One of the main subjects of discussion around that time was the recent visit of the popular lecturer August Hermann Francke and his subsequent expulsion from Saxony due to the disputes he generated.” Erdmann Neumeister... Continue Reading
He Will Hold Me Fast
Not only is God able to keep his people, but he does so “with great joy.”
After the unsettling conversation with the Canadian convert, Harkness wondered how he might help other Christians celebrate the power of God’s sustaining hand in our perseverance and have this sweet truth bore deep into our souls. The answer was obvious for a musician like Harkness: a song. He mentioned the need in a letter to... Continue Reading
The Encouragement Of Congregational Singing
One of the great gifts that God has given His church is the gift of congregational singing
“I hear these people singing and I am reminded of the victory and power of the gospel. There is no weakness, no stain of sin, no power of temptation, no spiritual darkness that can ever conquer the power of God working in the lives of His people. Their voices remind me of the freedom and... Continue Reading
The 6 Songs Billy Graham Picked for His Funeral
The evangelist planned his own ceremony. Experts analyze the music he chose.
“To God Be the Glory” and “Because He Lives” bookend the sweet spot of evangelical hymnody: Fanny Crosby’s song is a classic example of the gospel hymn genre that was synonymous with the 19th-century revivals that birthed evangelicalism, while Bill Gaither’s song is a 20th-century hit of the same lineage. As Billy Graham is... Continue Reading
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Discovering the power of Luther’s original lyrics
Leading the way not just in word, but in song, was Martin Luther. He wrote nearly forty hymns, many of which he composed not only the words but even the music. His most famous, of course, “A Mighty Fortress,” often is called “The Battle Hymn of the Reformation.” The Reformers didn’t just protest; they... Continue Reading
The Reformation: classical music’s punk moment
The great cultural and religious schism of the 16th century democratised music and participation, creating the template for modern classical music.
Luther certainly developed a practice in which music took on a more highly charged value, consolidating the drama and struggles of belief within the mind of the believer rather than in the multi-sensory panoply of traditional Catholic practice. It is perhaps no surprise that Bach once related the presence of God and his grace specifically... Continue Reading
7 Reasons God Commands Us To Sing To Him
Have you ever wondered why God commands us to sing to Him?
“We have so many incredible things to be thankful for and sing about – we’ve been forgiven, justified, and adopted as God’s own children and made joint-heirs with Christ. We’ve been rescued from eternal destruction. We’ve been given eternal life. Jesus SAVED us! That’s something to sing about.” Have you ever wondered why God... Continue Reading
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