Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang:
“He is good;
his love endures forever.”
Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13b,14)
Many centuries have passed since the day when Solomon led the people of Israel in dedicating the temple of the Lord and expressing uninhibited praise. Our imaginations can catch only the tiniest inkling of what that might have looked and felt like.
However, on a much smaller scale, a troupe of worship leader-musicians has been prompting fellow Presbyterians to let go of their inhibitions to give Glory to God, as they dedicate hymnals bearing that title. And, while no meteorologists have reported sightings of gathered clouds the worshippers have been exhibiting an enthusiasm exceeding the level typically emoted among the notoriously restrained Presbyterians for whom the hymnals have been prepared.
Now, for disclosure purposes, I want to acknowledge that the publisher, the Presbyterian Publishing Corp., has place advertisements in this magazine over the past year or so to help promote its new hymnals. The task of writing a critical review of the hymnal will fall to someone else.
But I’m pleased to report some impressions gained at the recent two-day gathering at First Church in Fort Worth, Texas. This was the fourth of six regional gatherings (others in Wayne, Pa., Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Louisville), each incorporating a different sampling of plenary speakers and worship leaders. But workshops showcasing different aspects of the 853 hymns, psalms and spiritual songs largely tapped the staff and committee members who had prepared the hymnal.
Amid the many angles of analysis, the introductions of new songs and revived old ones, three things stuck out.
The first was the committee’s driving focus on grace and gratitude. The hymns are divided into three sections: God’s mighty acts, the church at worship and our response to God. Hence, a section on the glory and grace of God leads the people to worship and then, in gratitude, to serve their Lord.
The second feature was how the hymnal aggregates themes, languages and musical styles that will energize worship for a host of Christians across the spectrum of theological convictions, soulful yearnings, missional visions, ethnic familiarities and sentimental affections. The committee did not privilege one or a few over the others. In fact, the committee didn’t even accord themselves the status of elite experts tasked with telling the church the right way to worship. For example, while they tilted some lyrics in the direction of inclusivity, in some songs they stuck with traditional wording. While they tended toward using the pronouns “we” and “us,” they also brought back, “I love to tell the story … .” When asked why, David Gambrell, member of the Office of Theology and Worship, responded, “It’s a big book for a big church.” Then he added, “We wanted to provide songs that would help people claim their faith in personal ways as well as corporate.” The leaders’ determination to produce a book that would help Presbyterians of all stripes to worship in spirit and truth was stunning. Hubris found no home among this group.
The third feature was the sheer enthusiasm that pervaded the gathering. Prompted by almost beatific countenances on the faces of team leaders, participants danced to the music, clapped their hands and even lifted hands in praise. Committee member Steve Fey summarized why: “God’s presence moved through the process of creating a hymnal in amazing ways. From the work of the GA to the various denominational bodies to the individuals’ undertaking the mundane copyright approval tasks, the guidance of God’s presence can be seen in the work. As the songs are sung, as the liturgies rehearsed, as the church rejoices and repents, the voice of God is seen and heard.”
Reasons to sing indeed.
—JHH
