The Functions Of Music In Worship

Music in worship serves many purposes and manifests itself in a variety of expressions. It is used both to praise God and to proclaim the Word; it both expresses prayer and relates the Gospel story. This article examines the various functions of music in worship and describes their implication for the church musician, who is the leader of the people's song. What is the role of the church musician? The question can be answered by looking first at the nature of the church's song. Five headings suggest themselves. A Song of Praise The church's song, especially for Protestants, is most obviously a song of praise. Many Psalms-like Psalm 98,"O sing to the Lord a new song"; Psalm 100, which calls us to "Come into [God's] presence with singing"; or Psalm 150, where instruments and "everything that breathes" are all exhorted to praise the Lord-give expression to what is implicit throughout the Bible: God is to be praised, and music is one of the chief vehicles for expressing that praise. …