I haven't listened to the song, and don't care for most hymns, period, although some I like and I don't object in principle to the compositions of men written, spoken or sung outside of worship, which glorify God. It is true that carnal men singing God's praises is a mixed thing: it both glorifies God and brings the singers greater condemnation from their own mouths. I love to hear Handel's
Messiah sung, but most choir performances that I have observed typically come from liberal ungodly churches. I don't know the hearts of all those singing. Perhaps God will bring the words they sing to their remembrance later on, if they are not presently converted, and use them for their good as well as his glory. Or perhaps it will redound to their utter destruction. But the singing of God's praises by unbelievers, though deficient, ought not to be condemned per se. When it is done for mere carnal entertainment or for other ends, then those are factors to consider as well in evaluating the singing. I'm not going to offer an evaluation here of an American Idol performance, but I thought these words from John Cotton may be worth considering.
Speaking of psalms, John Cotton has
said:
Quote:
Wherein whether they edify the Church or no, certain it is, it tendeth to the glory of God, that God's praises should be set forth by all the sons of men. And it is a further glory to God to their own conviction and confusion of face. And from both some edification and comfort redoundeth to the Church to see the wicked convinced and God's Name to be glorified. For it is an honor to God and a comfort to his Church that our God is not as their God, our enemies being judges and witnesses.
OBJECTION.
The godly Jews would not suffer the Samaritans to build the Temple with them though they offered themselves. And if singing be prophesying in any sense, and any way tending to the comfort or edification of the Church, why should we suffer profane persons to sing with us?
ANSWER.
That the godly Jews did reject the Samaritans from building with them, it was not out of moral consideration, as if it were unlawful for heathens to contribute their assistance to the worship ordinances of God; but out of a ceremonial respect because no heathens or unclean persons might be allowed to come into the Temple of the Lord. But by the death of Christ the Partition wall of Ceremonies is broken down; and we may allow heathens and profane persons to come into our holy assemblies, which they would not admit. Certain it is the godly Jews themselves did receive liberal contributions and oblations from the Kings of Persia towards the building and maintenance of the Temple, which was a moral acknowledgment of the honor due to the God of Israel, as well by Gentiles as Jews. If therefore the Jews would accept acknowledgment of moral homage and service from heathens and profane persons to the God of Israel why may not Christians accept from Pagans and profane persons their acknowledgment of moral homage and service to our God in singing forth his praises amongst us?
OBJECTION.
Such carnal and profane people are not worthy to take the Name and Praises of God in their mouths; nor are they able to make melody to the Lord by singing to him "with grace in their hearts," as is required, Col. iii. 16.
ANSWER.
If we speak of the worthiness of desert, John Baptist was not worthy to loose the latchet of Christ's shoe, much less to sing forth his glorious praise. But if we speak of the worthiness of fitness, thought it be true their unclean lips are not fit to take the holy Word of God into their mouths; yet the holy Word of God is fit to come into their minds and mouths also, to convince and reprove them of their Apostasy from God and rebellion against him. And howsoever they be unfit and unworthy to take God's Name and Praise into their mouths; yet surely the Lord is worthy of all praise and glory, blessing and thanksgiving from them and all the creatures which he hath made.
It is true, carnal and profane persons are not able to make melody and sing to the Lord with grace in their hearts; yet that defect doth no more excuse carnal persons from singing than it doth excuse them from prayer, which they cannot perform acceptably to God without a spirit of grace and faith. To pray (and so to sing) without faith is a sin; but not to pray at all is a greater sin. The one is Hypocrisy, the other Atheism.
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Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor,
The Matthew Poole Project
"Let your Morning Thoughts, and your last Evening Thoughts, be what shall become of you to all Eternity." -- Matthew Poole