Worship takes what we know to be true and connects our head knowledge with a deeply intimate, soul stirring experiential knowledge.
Beautiful music is sweetly soul satisfying in its ability to touch our entire being - mind, heart, and body. It carries with it the potential to move us deeply at every level of our existence. We learn from the ancient Greeks that there are three components to music that influence us on three different levels. Melody connects with the mind, harmony connects with the heart, and rhythm connects with the physical body. Music moves us because it touches upon our intellectual, emotional, and physical self all at once.
Much of the music by classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart was set to sacred texts, and as we learn to listen, the melody, the harmony, and the rhythm beautifully orchestrated awaken in us a holy imagination. This sacred music transcends words giving a unique language to all of humanity.
Classical music for Easter brings the sorrow and the power of the Passion story to life. Orchestra, choirs, and soloists together convey the joy, hope, praise, and triumph of life over death.
Some classical music to enjoy this season:
St. John Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach
St. Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach
Easter Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach
Messiah by George Frideric Handel
While classical music is often unintruding background music throughout happenings of our day, we also want to take time to feed our souls intentionally with lyrics that stir us to worship in spirit and in truth.
There is an inner connection between music and the spirit. It has been said when the soul sings, the spirit sours. We see throughout scripture the people of God turning to song when their hearts are full.
The Israelites sang together in response to their deliverance after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1). Deborah sang after Israel's victory over Sisera (Judges 5). When Saul was depressed, David would play for him and his spirit would be restored (1 Samuel 16:23). David was the "hero of Israel's songs" (2 Samuel 23:1). Elisha called for a harpist to play in order to create in him a receptive spirit toward the word of the Lord (2 Kings 3:15). The Levites sang in the temple. Mary sang in response to knowing she carried the long awaited Messiah.
And so with hearts full at what Christ has done for us on the cross, we sing.
Hymns are beautiful ways to learn rich theological truths. Each week of Lent during our morning time we sing the hymn of the week. Hymns that I pray seep into the childrens' hearts so that in the future days and years they are there to bring comfort, strength, and hope along the journey of life.
Week 1 Hymn : How Deep the Father's Love for Us
Week 2 Hymn : My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
Week 3 Hymn : I Surrender All
Week 4 Hymn : Nothing but the Blood
Week 5 Hymn : In Christ Alone
Week 6 Hymn : Man of Sorrows
Good Friday Hymn : Jesus Paid It All
Easter Sunday Hymn : Christ the Lord is Risen Today
*links to print lyrics
The past few years I've put together a playlist for Lent and Easter. It wasn't too difficult to decide what songs to include, but as I looked for music that would draw us into worship as we listened, it was a bit harder to find arrangements. Often the rhythm was so dominant we would miss the words completely while other versions just seemed to fall a bit flat. A few contemporary artists I found myself continually turning to were Fernando Ortega, Darlene Zschech, and Jadon Lavik. They can make some of the most simple hymns soar.
This year's playlist includes:
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
My Hope is Built On Nothing Less
I Surrender All
Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
In Christ Alone
Man of Sorrows
Jesus Paid It All
Before the Throne of God Above
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Worship Christ the Risen King
My Redeemer Lives
Joyful, Joyful We aDore Thee
What a Friend We Have In Jesus
It is Well With My Soul
My Jesus I Love Thee
Beautiful Savior
Amazing Grace
Most importantly have music that lights a fire in you, that stirs your affections for Christ. Because a spirit of worship is contagious.
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