Canticle

As Christians, all too often we sing in church, but rarely ask why we worship, or examine with any specificity the linguistic implications therein.

The first song mentioned in the Bible in found in Exodus 15:1-21. Here, Moses and the people Israel had been set free from their bondage in Egypt, their enemies drowned in the Red Sea. It is immediately following this redemption that Moses and his sister Miriam lead the sons of Israel in song. The purpose of this song? Glorification of God. An examination of the first song of Moses reveals that the word Yahweh (the Lord) is used eleven times during Moses' eighteen verses, and once more in Miriam's refrain. "God" is used twice, and pronouns referring to God ("he", "him", "his", "you", and "your") occur thirty five times. Moses, despite his courage, faith, and accomplishments, is not mentioned once. What are we to take from this example? All too often contemporary worship songs speak of our love to God, our worship of God, our experiences, and our spirituality. This style of worship stands in sharp contrast with recognition of His love for us, His grace, and Christ's atonement and Resurrection. Thus when we worship, we should do so as a people redeemed and made new in Christ Jesus, to which we exalt Him, not our experience of Him.

What songs do you sing to God?