At the end of Will’s organ lessons, he plays some hymns just for me. This afternoon he played a stanza of the powerful hymn, Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands.
It was a strange and dreadful strife
when life and death contended;
the victory remained with life,
the reign of death was ended;
stripped of power, no more it reigns,
an empty form alone remains;
death’s sting is lost for ever!
Alleluia!
Read the entire text of the Reformation era hymn here. It’s muscular music for a powerful truth as found in the words of the hymn.
6 comments
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May 20, 2012 at 03:15
Francesca
Powerful stuff! He makes it look so easy. Please thank him and tell him we want more, much more.
May 21, 2012 at 13:21
darlene
Ingrid, when you hear music like Will is playing, and you know the words. Where do your thoughts go?
May 21, 2012 at 14:04
Ingrid Schlueter
Hi Darlene, my thoughts go to how magnificent and strong our God is! The sheer power of an organ takes my mind to the awesomeness of our LORD who is so far beyond our comprehension. But note that it isn’t the same kind of power of heavy metal rock music. That is also power, but it is not a disciplined, orderly power that speaks of majesty and dignity. The power of that kind of music is lawless, undisciplined and rebellious in its voice. This is an important distinction as churches use music that in the lyrics speak of God, but in the music speaks of something altogether different. Worship music minus lyrics is not neutral. The primary instrument of the Western church for centuries has been the organ in that it is so beautifully able to carry both the power of God and the sweetness of His love in its leading of hymns. Sadly, it, along with hymnody, has nearly disappeared from use as “worship” has become more and more man-centered.
May 21, 2012 at 21:55
Anne Schaller Koch
Best description I ever read. I agree totally!
May 21, 2012 at 23:05
Francesca
cool, beats POP music any day
May 23, 2012 at 14:35
darlene
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the music…It helps me understand..It was like Anne said. “best description I ever read”