Music as Art and Worship

Music has always enhanced worship. In fact, it is hard for anyone even to fathom what worshiping is without music. Music by its very nature is sacramental. It replenishes weary humanity with a touch of peace and sanity. Music calms the waves and changes the heart. But beyond and above all, music is prayer. It is spoken prayer. It is audible utterances of joy and terror. When fearful, music expresses what we cannot. When jubilant, music expresses what we cannot. The most miserable of all voices finds pleasure in music because though one cannot sing as eloquently, sounds crystallize what one feels. It makes of him a solitary choir with God in his audience.

Music is art; it is worshipful art. It takes on shapes and various forms. It combines harmony with melody; melody with harmony. All come together to form one sole voice of praise. Cursed is the one who finds little value in music. But blessed is he who walks in the tune of the Lord. Augustine writes, “Qui cantat, bis orat.” Fellow Christian, to sing once is to pray twice.

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