REPETITIVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC
Does anyone else have an issue with Christian music that is so repetitive with what it says? Other than Matthew 6:7, what are some verses that say it’s wrong or that it’s okay? I personally see people going into a trance, but I don’t know their heart. The way I understand it is the older hymns were meant more for doctrine AND praise, and the newer music is more about drumming up emotion and experience.
Rather than looking for Scripture that reinforces your opinion, try looking to Scripture to inform your opinion.
KJV 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.
This is a prime example of a legalist citing a verse and then deriving implied corollaries expecting others to go with their narrow interpretation calling them unbiblical.
Wow! So much nastiness! Instead of being judgmental HELP me figure this out.
Also, try KNOWING me, or at least visiting my page, before saying I’m legalistic or judgmental. I asked a question. I didn’t say it IS unbiblical. I just want to know. Help people rather than berating them.
Listen to christian indie instead lol
I love modern Christian music. It’s just the stuff that says the same five words 100 times that seems sort of like a pagan chant meant to induce a trance.
As a worship (song) leader myself I don’t find issue with this as long as what is being sung holds meaning. Lots of scripture can also be repetitive but that’s not an issue. Think of how we learn and memorize scripture…. Through repetition.
I’ll agree that some modern music is shallow in its lyrical depth, but that’s another issue all together.
Get used to it.
The 4 living creatures around the throne “never stop saying: holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty; who is and was and is to come”.
This post was made to get BIBLICAL answers, not opinions and ridicule. I thank those of you who are using the Bible to answer this.
I find repetition useful. We memorize scripture by re-reading and repeating. The intention is not to be heard for our many words, but to have the words written in our heart, that we might not sin. (Psalm 119:11)
Isaiah 6 …
My post was misleading. I personally see people going into a trance, but if I’m humble and honest, I don’t know their heart and what’s going on between them and God at that time. The way I understand it is the older hymns were meant more for doctrine AND praise, and the newer music is more about drumming up emotion and experience.
I had to edit the original post to make my stance on it more clear.
Look up revivalism. Then you will see the roots of the problem.
Brandon, my friend, I sense that you reached out for help and having a tough time getting it from some on here. I really am excited for the Lord to return and take this pride out of my heart.
My take:
1. Music is very personal and what speaks to me may not speak to the next person.
2. Jesus is intensely interested in our hearts. The mode of worship is not as important as the sincerity and focus of our worship.
3. The Bible has many examples of very repetitious music. It doesn’t get much more repetitive than The Hallelujah Chorus. This is similar to some of the Psalms.
4. There’s some music that is not repetitive that’s not worshipful and some receptive that is, and the opposite is also true of each.
5. So what’s the difference? My guess would be that you are questioning repetitive lyrics combined with a music style you don’t prefer.
Jesus spoke with the woman at the well in John 4. She had a question of mode of worship in verse 20. In verses 21, and 22 Jesus gave us our answer. He told her that she won’t worship in either the mountain nor in the city, because she doesn’t know what she’s worshipping.
In verse 23 Jesus brings home the point:
“But the hour will come, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.”
Our job is to be a true worshipper…whatever the mode may be.
God bless.
Its just music. Though its repetative or over-used it doesnt make your heart in worship always the same. Yes, its a factor but not entirely the main attraction of worship. Me i like modern or newly written worship songs. But its always the old worship songs that was even played last last week that gets me raise my hands higher. Because to admit it honestly, modern songs doesnt feel like the words were inspired from the bible or taken from a verse.
My point is, its just a tool in channeling your praises and worship to God. Motivation. Its not your actual praise and worship to God. Singing and playing instruments is one of many ways to express our worship and praise. Most people get tripped to this topic so be careful where you put your heart into. I know it because i sometimes lead worship service. Its not the songs. Its the heart of each and everyone. Sometimes the song is good but the worshippers have no fire and merely just standing, looking nowhere at the screen. Sometimes the song is not that good or well known but the worshippers are crying and shouting His name, bowing down on their knees and praising Him in Spirit and in truth.
If it’s repeated twice it’s ok. Even thrice is acceptable to me, but I’ve counted repeats in excess of 30 times. I think that’s next to evil.
I think an issue with the repetitive songs is that there is no doctrine in them, no substance, so you could just as easily be singing about your boy/girlfriend for example.
I think it’s a matter of preference for some. New music such as Hillsong where the pastor openly says that all paths lead to heaven probably should be avoided for their open heresy and their music is for fame and fortune more than worship.
7/11 music. 7 stanzas repeated 11 times with drums and guitars! Gads! Entertainment church not a worship service.
I really don’t like repetitive music. I feel it looses its meaning after you sing over and over and over. I like Christian music that has meaning to the words , this is why we sing to God. With all of our hearts. I sing in a large choir.
The beginning of Psalm 118 and all of Psalm 136 repeat the line “his steadfast love endures forever.”
I don’t mind repetition, as long as it comes with solid biblical teaching about God. For as much I like talking about what I WILL do (I will praise you, I will worship, I will bow down, etc), I believe the music needs to tell of who God is and what God does/has done.
Revelation 4:
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”
If the 4 living creatures can repetitively sing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come” day AND night, is it okay for us to sing repetitive verses?
Another verse that comes to mind is Matthew 6: 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Now, the question i ask is, what’s the difference between prayer and worship?
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-prayer-and-vs-worship/
Ultimately, I believe that if you’re doing it to glorify the Lord, go for it. If you’re doing it to please man or glorify yourself, one may want to rethink their choices.
Only if it Glorifies God and Truth
Hi Brandon…. my personal view is, it’s not my bag – I don’t see anything overtly unbiblical, although that could be argued.
However, in short, it’s not a salvational issue I don’t think, so each to their own. My parents’ generation preferred organ music only, I love things like Rend Collective (Bring your Kingdom Near!!!)… diffrent strokes for diffrent folks.
You don’t need to know their heart. They are not worshipping or praising you! Let God be the Judge of their worship and their hearts!
The “Christian music” circle these days are in fact filled with lukewarm people who profess to know God but their hearts are far from Him. (Matthew 15:8)
A lot of the repetition is like a chanting and ritual. There is a famous church known for their “worship songs” that almost everyone sings called Bethel Church in Redding California, which is a prime example
of a church filled with false signs and wonders, and it takes on the same false spirits like the Kundalini spirit from Eastern mysticism. The Kundalini spirit is said to be a false imitation of the Holy Spirit which is ultra dangerous because it rides on the cusp of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which is an unforgivable sin.
That’s probably why you may be being nudged by the Holy Spirit to learn the truth and that such songs from blasphemous places should not be adopted. It makes sense to me that you are asking.
All these repetitive songs are trying to worship in “spirit” but aren’t worshipping in truth.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.””
John 4:23-24
“Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark” (Proverbs 19:2)
Stick to the stuff that is edifying ???
I personally write some of my own hymns and use alternative worship music that most churches don’t even know exists.
Be holy as He is holy ?
I am glad you are asking honest questions in search of the truth.
My issue is the four chord progression thing. How can people not go crazy with boredom listening to this? The complex chord structures and variety of the music when I was growing up is something this generation seems to have no awareness of, for the most part.
The constant repetition of the same worship song over and over again but with different words makes me want to come late for church. :/
My Church does over-repeat some choruses
There have been times in my life when I have been utterly overcome with grief and could only sing a few of the same phrases over and over. I think it is possible to have our heart on Christ and sing repetitious songs, and our heart far from the Lord and sing the most profound Hymns. Besides, in Revelation we read the same phrase repeated day and night, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
I love the Hillsong/Elevatoin stuff. Yes, there is a meditative quality to the repetitions.
Well, at one point the angels in heaven said, “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty!
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
Rev. 4: 8
Repetition isn’t bad. We’re human. We got bored of the same song after 20+ times. But the Lord doesn’t.
Good thing worship isn’t about us ?
Hymns are for native English speakers with lots of dense content. Worship songs are for non native English speakers who need repetitions.
It is very annoying and lame. At least a good deal of it. I like my church, except the music. First service has traditional music. Second service and the group I usually go to on Thursdays is all modern. A few songs are ok . I love revelation song. But too many songs are so simple and repetitive, its almost childish to me. Often after singing the same overly simple lines as long as I can stand it, I just quit singing and wait for the song to (finally!) end.
Not all new worship songs are bad and not all old hymns are good. The issue I often have with the newer “style” is when the praise and worship seems to be for the performer than the creator. Sometime I see hands moving toward a stage, like a rock concert and I begin to question the motive, but only God knows the heart.
I know we are not supposed to pray repetitively.
The one that i cant stand is THIS IS HOW I FIGHT MY BATTLES…Over and Over again.
Im a Rich Mullins guy…
I really enjoy the hymn that we sang at my church & its accompanied by acoustic music, so you could hear your own voice when you’re singing . The lyrics in the hymns are very meaningful . No repetition whatsoever. No trance, no emotional stirring up .
YES !!
Agree. Especially with the last thing you said.
How many time can you repeat to your spouse, “I love you, I love you, I love you…”, before it seems trivial and really meaningless to them, not to mention annoying? Do you know what I mean? Do you know what I mean? Do you know what I mean? I wrote an article about this for a worship site we had. It’s no longer up, it’s been awhile back. Wish we could have shared it with many.
Can’t stand it. Worship comes from the heart. Give me hymns.
It’s not an old vs new thing. Plenty of old songs were repetitive. Like the chorus of When the role is called up yonder.
When the roll (when the roll) is called up yonder, when the roll (when the roll) is called up yonder, when the roll (when the roll) is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
Repetition is a well-known brainwashing technique.
Bring back the hymns of doctrine and faith!!
Repetitive music is chanting in my opinion. Let’s praise God in the beauty of Holiness.
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