Congregational Singing: Complexity vs. Simplicity
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1, emphasis added). The act of creation is a stunning thing to ponder. If there was any question as to whether the cosmos is simply a random collection of particles serendipitously forged to form the material (and immaterial) world, the Bible emphatically says, “no”.
One of the mysterious riches of God’s creative work is the gift of beauty. “The heavens declare the glory of God, the sky above proclaims his handiwork…,” so says the poet, David (Psalm 19). In other words, the complex beauty of the sun, moon, stars, galaxies, clouds, birds and the like are a delight to our senses. Why? Principally because that beauty is a signpost that points to the glory of the creator God.
But beauty is not only found in the elaborate complexity of the “heavens”. Beauty can be lavish in the simplicity of the sweetness of honey, the deep crimson of an autumnal maple leaf and the unadorned wildflower (Matthew 6:28).
The same can be said about the beauty given to us in music, and for the purposes of this article, music that is used in corporate worship. I remember the sense of awe I experienced the first time I heard the African American spiritual, Give Me Jesus, sung in a church service. It would be a challenge for anyone to discover or write a simpler lyric and melody. Yet, the haunting beauty expressed in the simplicity of this song cannot help but lead to more adoration for Christ and a deeper hunger for His ways.
Verse 1:
In the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
give me Jesus
Refrain:
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.
You may have all this world, give me Jesus
On the other hand, one of the great hymns of German reformer Martin Luther, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, is a masterclass in beautifully complex music and poetry. Sung from top to bottom, the hymn artfully leads me to a more sturdy trust in our sovereign God. Each stanza pedagogically builds on top of the other, weaving in themes of God’s providence, the Trinitarian nature of God and his plan of salvation in Christ. The hymn ends with an explosive assurance of hope: “His kingdom is forever!” The elegant complexity of this song cannot help but lead to more adoration for Christ and a deeper hunger for His ways.
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!
Words and music: Martin Luther (1529)
English translation: Frederick H. Hedge (1852)
When choosing new (or old) songs for corporate worship, it can be tempting to make choices based largely on how quickly a congregation can learn a particular song. The question, “Is this song congregationally accessible?”, is a helpful and important question to ask. But, the grid for making that assessment shouldn’t hinge on whether or not the song can be learned quickly. Some hymns are worth the hard work (see, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God). I would caution anyone who is given the responsibility of choosing songs to push back on the temptation to dismiss songs of complex music or poetry.
We can also fall into the opposite trap of steering away from songs that might be deemed too simple. Simple does not necessarily mean insubstantial. Some of the great hymns of our faith (Give Me Jesus, I Need Thee Every Hour, Amazing Grace) are quite simple in comparison to others.
When I’m helping to make these kinds of choices I often need a reminder to look to the Psalter, the hymnbook of the people of God. Psalm 119 is dense and full of poetic intricacy. However, we also are given Psalm 150 as the grand finale to the Psalter, a remarkably simple call to worship.
There is not an effortless grid to follow when we consider the songs we choose for our church to sing this Sunday. Practically, we must take into account the musicianship available to us, the history and traditions of our local congregation and our own tastes and preferences.
When we sit down to plan the music for our worship services may we be guided first by the word of God by the power of his Spirit through prayer, preparation and wisdom. But, may we also consider the weighty responsibility we have to put words and melody on the lips of our congregation. Words that catechize and form us. Some of the songs we sing will be sung through the ages, at weddings, funerals and deathbeds. Some of them won’t.
Let’s strive to lead our congregations to sing the best songs, hymns and spiritual songs that we can with the resources we are given. Dig deep into the resources of the Psalter, pour yourself into the great hymnals of the Church and do the hard work of listening (and writing) new songs, complex and simple, that will lead us to more adoration of Christ and a deeper hunger for his ways.