Hymnody, Songs and Spiritual Songs Today

Another by the Bayly brothers. This one dealing more with hymnody and songs being written today. Men suffer not Thy Word to stand... (ht: By David & Tim Bayly) (by Tim) Have you noticed how the hymns, songs, and spiritual songs being written for Christian worship today exclude words or concepts that are negative? And, performed on "Christian radio," how every piece of music ends in a triumphant crescendo? Listen to your local Christian radio station and count the number of times Satan, Hell, the narrow path, old age, death, or false doctrine appear in songs' lyrics. Really, we ought to be coming up with new settings for Psalm 137. But hey, it wouldn't get air time. Go over to The Psalms of David from Kings Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, Vol. 1 for an old setting I love. (In fact, I'm very fond of all three volumes in this series and highly recommend them.) Well here's a tonic for what ails us, from the same spiritual father who gave us, "And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath 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." Whether or not your church would sing the following words with gusto might be some indication of whether you've found a good church home... O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold O Lord, look down from heaven, behold And let Thy pity waken: How few are we within Thy Fold, Thy saints by men forsaken! True faith seems quenched on every hand, Men suffer not Thy Word to stand; Dark times have us o'ertaken. With fraud which they themselves invent Thy truth they have confounded; Their hearts are not with one consent On Thy pure doctrine grounded. While they parade with outward show, They lead the people to and fro, In error's maze astounded. May God root out all heresy And of false teachers rid us Who proudly say: Now, where is he That shall our speech forbid us? By right or might we shall prevail; What we determine cannot fail; We own no lord and master. Therefore saith God, I must arise, The poor My help are needing; To Me ascend My people's cries, And I have heard their pleading. For them My saving Word shall fight And fearlessly and sharply smite, The poor with might defending. As silver tried by fire is pure From all adulteration, So through God's Word shall men endure Each trial and temptation. Its light beams brighter through the cross, And, purified from human dross, It shines through every nation. Thy truth defend, O God, and stay This evil generation; And from the error of their way Keep Thine own congregation. The wicked everywhere abound And would Thy little flock confound; But Thou art our Salvation. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!