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In Philippians Paul calls the church to rejoice in God (Phil 4:4). But he doesn’t just say “Rejoice in the Lord.” He urges them to do it regularly, again and again. “Rejoice in the Lord, always.” And again, he doesn’t just say to do it regularly with repetition, he says it again, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!”
What is the deal with repetition in worship songs? Why do we repeat our communion services with such similar words again and again? Why do we remind each other of the gospel when we meet for tea or coffee? Why do we read the same passages of the Bible again and again? Why repeat anything? There is a clue in what Jesus said to the pair on the road to Emmaus, “‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Then he went through the scriptures and explained to them what was said about himself. “How foolish you are and slow of heart to believe” - Even when we know something with our minds or heads, our hearts often need to catch up with the truth. This does not mean repetition is always good. Heaping up empty phrases, “babbling like the pagans” was condemned by Jesus. There are some songs of worship which are poorly written which may repeat a phrase because the author could not think of anything else to write. However, there are many hymns and songs of worship which repeat deep truths. How many times is the Exodus mentioned in the Bible? How many times including whole event?: God judging the Pharaoh, sparing the first-born of Israel, delivering His people from slavery, parting the Red Sea, and delivering them to the promised land. Well, it’s hard to say a definitive number because of things like psalms that allude to it, but there were annual reminders through the Passover celebrations, there are so many regular reminders in the worship book of Israel. 1 Corinthians 15:1 - Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. What?!? They heard the gospel already from Paul. They didn’t just hear it, but received it, and they didn’t just receive it but have built their lives upon it. They are daily standing on the gospel in the midst of persecution and pain. Why on earth would Paul need to remind people of the gospel, when they have built their whole existence on the truth of the gospel, when they have heard, received and stand upon it? Because, we are slow of heart to believe. We believe facts with our heads but do those beliefs automatically translate into action? As you prayerfully, worshipfully read through the following psalm, think what point God is driving home to your head and your heart: Psalm 136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures for ever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures for ever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures for ever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures for ever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures for ever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures for ever. 7 who made the great lights – His love endures for ever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures for ever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures for ever. 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures for ever. 11 and brought Israel out from among them His love endures for ever. 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures for ever. 13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures for ever. 14 and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures for ever. 15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures for ever. 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures for ever. 17 to him who struck down great kings, His love endures for ever. 18 and killed mighty kings – His love endures for ever. 19 Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures for ever. 20 and Og king of Bashan – His love endures for ever. 21 and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures for ever. 22 an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures for ever. 23 He remembered us in our low estate His love endures for ever. 24 and freed us from our enemies. His love endures for ever. 25 He gives food to every creature. His love endures for ever. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures for ever. Psalm 117 - why begin with the phrase, “Praise the Lord” if he was going to end with it. Why not just say it once? Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 118 - 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever. 2 Let Israel say: ‘His love endures for ever.’ 3 Let the house of Aaron say: ‘His love endures for ever.’ 4 Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love endures for ever.’ 5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation. 15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! 16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’ 17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. 18 The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. 21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever. May we embrace Biblical repetition, allow God to speak to us by His Word and Holy Spirit, and absorb the truth with our heads and hearts. Colossians 3:15-17 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, humans and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." |
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