The “vernal equinox,” for those of us in the northern hemisphere, is almost here. For many that will mean absolutely nothing. However, to those of you who are interested in the movements of the earth and the subsequent change of seasons that brings, you will be keenly looking forward to the advent of spring. So mark your calendars for March 20th at 7:21PM Eastern Standard Time. At that time, according to God’s providence in the maintenance of the covenant with Noah (Genesis 8:20-9:17), we will pass from winter into spring. I think that is really cool. What does that have to do with us? It means the days are beginning to warm up and it will soon be time to get out and start working in the garden. It also means we are getting close to our commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. So we are approaching a time of solemn reflection and a time of great joy. So there you have the introductory paragraph of this issue’s “Pastor’s Ponderings.” If you have only read this far you have not yet earned any type of recognition, so you have to read further. So now it is time to officially kick off the purpose of this “Pastor’s Ponderings.”
If you make a habit of reading this article in each Beacon, then you know I have been commenting on the various elements and parts in our worship services. This time around we come to the singing of the “Doxology.” Doxology, literally means “to speak praise.” The singing of “the Doxology” is a particularly American Protestant tradition. In our congregation we have sung the doxology every week for at least as long as I have been pastor. That is 270 Sundays so far. We use the same words to the same tune every time. To give you some more background, I am going to borrow a short article entitled “The Doxology” by Mike Ross and then will comment on it at the end.
Very few believers in our reformed and evangelical churches realize where the Doxology comes from, even though they sing it most every Sunday. In fact, it is the last stanza of three hymns written by the Anglican Bishop Thomas Ken, who lived from 1637 to 1711. His three hymns are entitled: The Morning Hymn, the Evening Hymn, and the Midnight Hymn, to be sung at their respective times in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer liturgy. Ken placed this stanza at the end of each hymn…
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all Creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
This stanza is today used by more English-speaking Christians in worship than any other stanza or single verse in existence. It reflects a great tradition of worship, in simple verse, by the people of God, and it unites us in praise to the saints of all times and places.
There is nothing in the regulative principle of worship that prohibits the use of traditional hymns, choruses, verses or prayers, provided these traditional elements of worship do not violate the Biblical guidelines of worship. Tradition that is Biblical is indeed a positive thing and a strengthening influence upon corporate worship.
Perhaps it would be good, on particular Sundays, to sing the two stanzas of Ken’s “Morning Hymn,” in total:
Awake my soul, and with the Sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all Creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
There has been some comment within the congregation about the repetition of the Doxology. As the Session has discussed this matter we have come to the conclusion that first of all there is nothing wrong with us continuing to repeat the same doxology. However, there is also nothing wrong with our not singing the same words to the same tune every time. Therefore we are going to try changing the tune. In time, we may also change the words we use as well. Don’t panic! We are not giving up on the traditional setting of these words with the tune “Old Hundredth,” we simply will not be using it every time. Now let me address the inevitable question, “why do we have to change things?” I want you to know we are not being forced to change anything. Change is good in that it makes us stop and focus on what we are doing. One of the big problems with worship is the tendency for it to become a rote exercise. Worship of the living God must not be allowed to become some kind of mechanical repetition. We need to engage personally when we sing the praises of God. By switching the tunes and the words we sing, we are forced to stay more focused and engaged in worship and that is a good thing. Remember, just because we add variety to what we are doing does not mean we are giving up our traditions.
If you are offended by a change in worship that is not un-biblical then I challenge you to reflect on why you are offended. We need to guard against our non-biblical traditions becoming “golden calves.” Unfortunately, since we are sinners, we tend to be blind to our own “idols” in worship. Therefore it is important to expose those idols from time to time. Now if you have read this far, you still get no recognition. You will have to read further to receive your “good reader” award.
