Which do you prefer and why?
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What are the lyrics to What Do You Think About Modern Praise Music Versus Traditional Hymns?
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I like what I call traditional Southern gospel hymns. You may have heard this type of music called “shaped note singing”. It is actually quite different from either of the two other styles.
While we sing some traditional hymns and even some contemporary praise choruses in our small rural congregation, they really sing best on those Southern gospel classics such as “Sweet By & By”, “I’ll Fly Away”, et al. If you are familiar with this style, it has a very country/bluegrass sound with lots of part singing and harmony. You just don’t get that in the contemporary praise choruses which are often written to be sung in unison. And even the traditional hymns are usually not as “lively” as many of the favorites from the Heavenly Highways hymnal!
I think the best answer to this question is that there is no one right answer for all people or all congregations. God inhabits the sincere praise of His people regardless of the style in which it is done. I like some of both the contemporary music and the traditional hymns, but I agree that what my husband calls the “7-11″ songs (where you sing the same 7 words 11 times) can be annoying.
To me, some of this trend actually represents a decline in literacy of the congregation–these songs obviously appeal more to people who didn’t grow up in church so they aren’t familiar with traditional hymns, may be less educated musically (or even in literacy) so learning these repititive choruses doesn’t depend on their ability to read music, find a page in a hymnbook, or even necessarily to read but just follow along. I can see how this would be advantageous in evangelistic settings such as crusades, camps, etc. because they are easy to teach on the spot, but maybe not so much for encouraging spiritual edification or growth.
Some of the classic hymns such as Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, It is Well with My Soul, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross do such a beautiful job of expressing and interpreting deep doctrinal concepts in such meaningful and poetic ways–it would be hard to imagine a church where none of these were ever learned and sung!
I think the approach your church is taking to bridge the generation gap and appeal to all worshippers is a good compromise. Other larger churches have actually gone to two or more services with the worship music style one of the main distinctions between the various services.
Both. There are some in both that are wonderful and some that are not so wonderful, if you look at music, but if you look at the words, then you realize that you can worship God with any style. God is God no matter if you are singing “How Great Thou Art” or Chris Tomlin’s “Everlasting God”
Hi, Corwin:
I enjoy most classic hymns, as well as most praise music.
Those who can not accept change will have a hard time adjusting to heaven where angels love to sing praises 24 hours a day.
Revelation 4:8 ” And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
The Bible code tells when heaven will be established on earth: http://abiblecode.com
Shalom, peace in Jesus, Ben Yeshua
i like both, becuase they are uplifting, but i think i prefer the contemporary stuff. the traditional isn’t bad when they sin gonly two verses but ifyou go to a chrusch that makes you sing all six, it can be a real drag, too much of a good thing is bad
they are both the same. worship today, worship back then. but right now, as of present, i would prefer contemporary worship because it is our style of music. back then, they preffered hymns because it was what type of music was popular.
Oh my………..I have a pretty strong opinion on the music that is supposedly accepted in church nowadays.
Personally, I cannot believe that the modern ‘praise/worship’ music makes our Lord very happy…………I just can’t see Jesus enjoying any kind of ‘rock’ – He IS HOLY……….As for the music that is just repeating the same thing – with people waving their arms in the air – with their eyes closed……come on – I don’t really think any of that nonsense is gonna bring a soul to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ……………
Needless to say, I’m old fashioned……I absolutely love the old hymns! They actually speak to the heart of man – which seems to me, should be the whole purpose of it………….
Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost……….not ‘boogie down’ to a funky beat!!!!!!!!!
You asked my opinion…………..I gave it………….
God Bless……………..
I love the old traditional hymns. I like the modern worship music as long as it is not the repetitious chanting.
These songs are more time-consumers than anything and after the same sentence or phrase has been repeated more than twice I HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
I prefer traditional hymns over modern praise music. The latter is too relaxed for my personal taste.
The modern crap sucks. I’m atheist and I can bear the traditional stuff. The new ones make me want to blow someone’s brains out.
I tend to prefer hymns and tunes that endure the test of time,but i like many ‘Praise Songs” too
I enjoy the traditional hymns better because modern ones tend to be just emotional.
To be honest, I don’t like the new modern music because it appeals to the flesh not to the soul to honor God.
I enjoy both. They each have their strengths.
No, neither of them is satanic.