| Introduction to Seeker Friendly Songs | | Seeker Friendly "Hymn" No. 1 | | Seeker Friendly "Hymn" No. 2 | | Jeptha's Rash Vow | | The nature and function of worship music | | Classic Christian Hymn #1 | | Classic Christian Hymn #2 | | Classic Christian Hymn #3 | | Classic Christian Hymn #4 |
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Worship Music
by Ronald R. Shea, Th.M., J.D.
Classic Christian Hymns
Hark the herald angels sing
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
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The words to %u201CHark the herald angels sing%u201D were originally written as a Christmas Carol by Charles Wesley. The original tune, however, failed to match in musicality what this great hymn expressed in its lyrics. In 1840, Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata to commemorate the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg's, which allowed the Bible to be printed and distributed to the common man. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn%u2019s music to fit the lyrics of %u201CHark the herald angels sing%u201D already written by Wesley.
If you are in a small group, examine each line of this hymn, and discuss what it teaches about the salvation found in our Lord Jesus Christ. Discuss other major doctrines of the Bible that you are able to find taught, reinforced, or magnified within this hymn. Circle various words or phrases that encompass major Bible doctrines, and jot down one or two words describing the doctrine(s) addressed therein. Try to identify at least one Scriptural reference for each doctrine you are able to identify in this hymn.
Discuss how these classic hymns compared with the "seeker friendly hymn" on the earlier pages.
There is a reason God's Word commands us to worship the Lord in song and hymn. We remember what we sing. As we sing, the lyrics are implanted into our hearts and minds. And the emerging seeker-friendly church has forgotten the Saviour, in part, because it has ceased any real and meaningful worship.
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Classic Christian Hymn #4 |
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