(the book of Psalms) are laments. Half of these worship songs cry out to the Lord in a time of despair, anger, frustration, or bitterness (sometimes all of those emotions). What does this imply about the biblical concept of worship? What might this imply about modern worship? How many lament songs does the modern church sing?
2007-04-23 05:52:47 · 10 answers · asked by C29 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Great question!
Much of the modern service seems to revolve around convincing the half convinced in a never ending cycle. It's rather like an addiction - a momentary rush, followed by an inevitable let down. The problem, you see, is in the me centeredness of it all. In the notion that "believers" need to come and sit passively every week and hear a sermon designed to help cement them in a belief that they don't walk out, for the most part, during the week. Since much of the church is composed of, at best, marginal believers, and a large dose of non-believers, and since the emphasis is upon keeping them in attendance, anything which smacks of being a downer is liable to drive them away.
This results in our "churches" being disconnected with the realities in which people find themselves. I can recall attending a church and being at one of the lowest points of my life, and when I arrived to hear the sounds of fluffy, bouncy airy music, it was like vinegar on my teeth! Ordinarily, I love to praise God, but this was too much! It simply cemented for me how out of touch the church was with me and my family. Someone might argue that I was being self-centered, but the truth is I needed someone to do what the scripture says, "Weep with those who weep." This absolutely CAN NOT HAPPEN under the current format, which begs a question: what is the church supposed to do when it meets?
Is it really all about worship? See if you can find a "worship service" anywhere in the pages of the New Testament. It's not there! The reason? The church met for the first nearly three hundred years of its existence in homes without a fancy speaker, and without fancy worship! What did they do? They ate meals together, prayed together and encouraged one another. True, they sang songs, but it was not led by a worship leader. Individuals were free to contribute as they were "led by the Spirit." In that kind of an environment, one could lament, praise or do nearly anything that would lead to encouraging and building one another's faith. In fact, I have written several laments for guitar and voice, and the only place I have ever been able to share it is with my family. Go figure!
Tom
2007-04-23 05:57:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are comparing apples and oranges. The faith of David in Israel is very different from the religion of Christianity (church). You appear to be a glass half-empty kind of person since half of the psalms were also praise. In addition, even in his darkest moments crying out in despair, the connection was a deeply personal DIRECT connection to God, the one he knew could help him through this despair. This indicates David understood through Torah that he was able to connect directly to the Divine in all his needs with both pleas for help and with praise and thanks as did his ancestors and as we are capable of doing today.
2007-04-23 06:24:19 · answer #2 · answered by ✡mama pajama✡ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It implies that Israel laments and mourns our ancestors. We are a community united -- past, present, and future.
I guess that the modern "church" is more concerned with their individual salvation than with anyone else's background or problems.
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2007-04-23 06:04:52 · answer #3 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
we don't use them in the church I am going to.... unless they are completed with the Faith that is included as well as how the author stood with God as His provider.
we all go thru 'crap' in our lives... but we need to remember that God is there to bring us thru it (not 'remove' it like many people want God to do) and give us strength to endure....
most of the songs we sing are praises and worshipping for how Great He is
2007-04-23 06:06:27 · answer #4 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is hard to sort out whether you refer to Israel or Christianity.
Prayers or psalms.
Today or King David's time.
2007-04-23 08:42:52 · answer #5 · answered by Ivri_Anokhi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me it shows several things. That human need is endless. And it shows me that God cares about our 'issues.' God takes care of those who trust Him. And boy, am I glad.
2007-04-23 06:05:46 · answer #6 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Big difference. The OT believers cried out to God for Him to send His Salvation (Yeshua). NT believers cry out to God in thankfulness for sending His Salvation, Yeshua (which is Jesus' Hebrew name).
2007-04-23 06:03:44 · answer #7 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
we need to share are worrys with God as well as our praise.
2007-04-23 06:27:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that is a good question!
2007-04-23 06:04:41 · answer #9 · answered by realchurchhistorian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just neverending whining....
2007-04-23 05:57:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋