I have been really careful about worship music lately. I am a firm believer that we learn what we sing, therefore when we choose songs for a Sunday or Wednesday night service we are teaching people theology through those songs, good or bad. We have quite a few praise songs that completely contradict scripture and theology. In our fast past culture we try to make things relevant or even write words that grip our emotions and sing those words proudly and even tearfully completely unaware that they contradict scripture itself. It’s amazing. However I have recently learned that this is not a new problem at all.
Look at this song from the 1956 Heavenly Highways Hymnbook which was a Stamps-Baxter Publication. This songbook was used intimately in our churches during this time period and many Bible believing congregations sang this song.
Aint it a shame
Ain’t it a shame to work on Sunday
Ain’t it a shame a working shame.
Ain’t it a shame to work on Sunday,
Ain’t it a shame a working shame.
Ain’t it a shame to work on Sunday.
When you got Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
and you got Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, ain’t it a shame.
Ain’t it a shame to joy ride Sunday,
Ain’t it a shame a joy ridin’ shame.
Ain’t it a shame to joy ride Sunday,
Ain’t it a shame a joy ridin’ shame.
Ain’t it a shame to joy ride Sunday.
When you got Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
and you got Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, ain’t it a shame.
Ain’t it a shame to lie on Sunday,
Ain’t it a shame a lying shame.
Ain’t it a shame to lie on Sunday,
Ain’t it a shame a lying shame.
Ain’t it a shame to lie on Sunday.
When you got Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
and you got Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, ain’t it a shame.
Ain’t it a shame to gossip on Sunday,
Ain’t it a shame a gossiping shame.
Ain’t it a shame to gossip on Sunday,
Ain’t it a shame a gossiping shame.
Ain’t it a shame to gossip on Sunday.
When you got Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
and you got Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, ain’t it a shame.
Folks, did you catch that? You have Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to lie and gossip! WHAT IN THE WORLD? People would sing this song like it was no big deal, but I bet if you preached a message that said you could lie and gossip every day of the week except for Sunday you would be fired, and yet the very song they sang was probably how they lived.
We need to be careful about the words of the songs we sing. Do they honor and glorify God while teaching his truth or are they a contradiction with a catchy tune?
Pressed
Stunning!
Now to help boost the comments (like you need help with that ) What are some of those songs that go against scripture? List them here.
I submit, I Found Jesus. Who did the findin’?
Christians will and have justified feelings before they justify scripture. Worship from some point of view is to make to a person feel and think about their condition soul wise. I was taught that worship music is to glorify God and not man. We worship GOD to enter into His Holy Presence.
Hey you know I could be wrong as it is Tuesday. May not be feeling enough to make a comment. (umm yes that is sarcasm)
Good post and God Bless.
Michael… I’m a little bit confused. We’ve been talking about Christian worship songs… where did secular music come from?
One thing I am thankful for with the uprise of technology in today’s churches is that they print the words on screens for you. Most of the time, I read through the words before I start singing and examine my heart and mind to see if they really line up with the theology and doctrine I hold to. I have found so many phrases in the past that seem a bit fishy to me. I know this may take away from worship time, but I would rather make sure I agree with what I’m singing instead of “going with the feelings” of the songs. Sometimes this is why I just pray and worship in my own quiet place of the soul during worship. I do suggest, however, going with the old hymns. In most cases, you will find solid theology and powerful reminders that will truly usher you into the presence of the Lord.
oh wow. what a song. thankfully have never heard that one!
i do agree about the worship songs. there are some that totally go against everything i believe, therefore i don’t sing or listen to them.
thinking of an example…
can’t think of one at the moment. but there are also songs that aren’t necessarily against my beliefs, BUT they just repeat the same thing over and over again, so it’s not even worth singing in my opinion. ?
your site is very nifty. God bless!
Hi. Great to meet u.
So does this song encourage that we must be angelic on Sunday but it’s permissable to live like the devil the rest of the week?
Thanx for the chuckle.
Be not over much wicked - Ecc. 7
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