The Smallest Song

I love music. I love it so much, I’ve made a career out of it. Most people have some kind of connection to music. You’ll be hard-pressed to find many people who don’t like listening to some kind of music. Music is a gift from God. Just like a sunset or a gorgeous mountain view, music is a work of art God created for us to enjoy. It also was created to be used to worship Him.

Like secular music, there are several different genres within the Christian music realm. You’ve got contemporary Christian (mostly what is heard on the radio), hip-hop, rap, rock and heavy metal (Skillet, anyone?) indie/folk, the list could go on. Basically, any genre you can think of in secular, it now exists in the Christian music labels… which is awesome! I’m all for musical diversity and creativity. But there’s one genre that Christian music has that doesn’t exist in the secular world: worship.

Worship music itself has changed and morphed over the years. David worshipped through dance and through singing psalms, or poems. The monks sang on monophonic chants using Latin texts. There were several hundred years when worship music was the only music allowed and had strict rules of that chords and words thy could use. Hymns that are still sung in many churches today were written in the four part structure and had choral aspects to it. Today, there are a lot of worship songs that feel like a concert!

The term “worship” is defined in the dictionary as “to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power” or “to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion”. Looking at many of our worship songs today, the lyrics are focus on us and our feelings. some of them are written to make us feel better, rather thank praising God. Honestly, those types of songs and they are important and have their place. In fact, one of my favorite worship songs is “Wait on You”. But, theses songs do not reflect the true definition of worship. when the songs are directed inward instead of upward, we recognize that God is making us feel better but we are not worshiping God for being what He is: the One True God.

When we worship vertically (sending praise and recognize who God is) then we become less focused on ourselves and our needs and more focused on how good God is. Look at David’s psalm 145. It begins with “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” It is clear that David reveres God. David is completely focused on God and how worthy of praise He is. He literally says words like “exalt” and “praise”, removing anything of himself. Here, there is no mention of David’s problems, desires, or needs. He is simply worshiping God and giving Him the glory He deserves. Later in the psalm, however, David does mention what God does for his people, “The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” Altough this section of the chapter encourages God’s people and reminds then God will save them, David qualifies the statements with “those who are bowed down”.

When we worship vertically (putting the focus on God), then we draw closer God. There’s a reason God called David “a man after His own heart.” Vertical worship is a sign of true humility and dedication. True worship reveals to us who God is, not only what He can do for our problems. We were literally created to worship vertically! To praise God for all of our days, because HE IS GOD! So, while all other types of music are fantastic, make sure you take time to worship God vertically. Because He is Good.