I was in conversation with someone a while back about what type of music we use here at Meadow Park. The question posed to me was "How many Praise songs and how many Hymns we use in our services?" I know what he meant in that questioning and I explained our philosophy about balancing our services with music that reflects our rich heritage and music that is applicable to our culture today. I thought about that question more and asked him, "Isn't every song we sing a Praise song?" Every Hymn, Psalm, Spiritual song and chorus that we use in our worship service is in some way praising God for the victory that is in Him.
"Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." Psalm 66:1-4.
We were reading in our worship class last quarter that King Jehoshaphat in 2nd Chronicles 2, sent musicians and singers out ahead of his army as they were going in to battle. I thought to myself, I am not sure I would want that gig! Here the King is sending out the worship band first in to battle and then sends his troops (who have all the weapons by the way!) behind them. What kind of battle strategy is that and how do the musicians protect themselves with their voices or instruments? That's exactly what happened. In verse 20-21 it says:.
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 2nd Chronicles 2:21.
When we come together as the Body of Christ, we offer praise to God even in the midst of a Spiritual battle that is all around us! Our offering of praise is neither fast nor slow, old or new, joyful or sad, acapella or instrumental.