A Christian Analysis of Music
透过基督信仰分析音乐
Introduction 导论
Whales swim based on a sensitive echolocation system. 鲸 [jīng] 鱼在水里依靠一个敏感的声纳定位系统。
Ocean noise pollution, due to large ships, can cause blue whales to become disoriented, and to fatally swim into underwater objects. 海洋大型船只造成的噪音污染会使蓝鲸失去方向，游向致命的海洋物体。
Think of the obvious analogy in the way that music affects the human psyche. 这显然犹如音乐对人心灵的影响。
Colossians 歌罗西书 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.当用各样的智慧，把基督的道理，丰丰富富的存在心里，（或作当把基督的道理丰丰富富的存在心里以各样的智慧）用诗章，颂词，灵歌，彼此教导，互相劝戒，心被恩感歌颂神。
Notice that God wants Christians to sing to one another.
注意，神想要基督徒们彼此唱诗。
We were designed to make music, and to be moved by music (regardless of our musical ability).
我们本就该创作音乐、被音乐打动（无论我们的音乐才华如何）。
Music is woven into our created being, because we are image-bears of a musical God. 神把音乐编织进我们的存有中，因为我们按着神的形象被造，神是有音律的神。Some sing in order to remember, and others sing in order to forget.有些人唱歌是为了记住，有些人唱歌是为了忘记。
Singing both reflects our moods, and often changes that mood.唱歌既反映了我们的心情，也常常改变我们的心情。
Our songs have a great influence on our thoughts and actions, since music pulls the heart in a particular direction. 我们的歌对我们的思想和行为有很大的影响，因为音乐强烈地拉着内心去往某个方向。
Additionally, music enters portals of our psyche that prose and logic cannot. 另外，音乐以一种文字和逻辑所不能的方式拨动我们的心弦。
In other words, music enters into one’s emotions in a way that other forms of communication cannot.换句话说，音乐对人的情感有着强烈的触动，是别的方式难以企及的。
An Eternal Quality to Some Music 一些音乐具有永恒的特质
When listening to beautiful music one feels as though he has transcended time. 当你在聆听曼妙的音乐时，会有一种超越时间的感觉。
While music is bound by time, it has an eternal point of reference. 虽然乐曲有时间限制，但它却能让人忘记时间。
Music as Imitation of the Sounds of Creation音乐模仿受造界的声音
Music sounds like the creation around us, imitating the sounds of our natural environment. 音乐如同受造界一般围绕着我们。模仿自然环境的声音。
1. Music mimics the sound of a fearful storm. 音乐模仿着使人畏惧的暴风之声。
2. It echoes the cry of regret and loss. 音乐回荡着人们后悔、失落的哭泣。
3. It simulates the laughter of a party.音乐激发晚会上的盈盈笑语。
4. It replicates the rage of a man insulted. 它讲述人不看羞辱的忿怒。
5. It reverberates with the excitement of sexuality. 让人沉浸在男欢女爱之中。
Music gives “voice” to our emotions and passions. 音乐向我们的情感与热诚“发声”。
As music imitates the sounds of the creation, it reminds us of God whose invisible qualities are found throughout the creation (Romans 罗马书 1:20). 音乐模仿着受造界中的声音，让我们想起整个受造界中遍布神看不见的属性。
It is as if beautiful music reminds us of God’s presence, drawing out and magnifying God’s invisible qualities in the creation. 似乎美妙的音乐让我们想起神的临在，带出受造界中神看不见的属性，并使之放大。
Music’s Effect on the Psyche
音乐对灵魂的影响
In Daniel 3:5, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar unveiled a giant statue of himself. 但以理书 3:5 中，巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒为自己巨大的雕像揭幕。
The statue’s unveiling was accompanied by music.雕像的揭幕伴随着音乐。
Daniel 但以理书 3:5, mentions six instruments: 提到了六种乐器：
1. Horn 角
2. Flute 笛
3. Zither 琵琶 (or 古筝)
4. Lyre 琴
5. Harp 瑟
6. Pipes 笙
Notice that Nebuchadnezzar brought together a full concert of sounds, those sounds designed to induce worship in the Babylonians. 请注意，尼布甲尼撒汇集了多种声音，以激发巴比伦人的崇拜。
Music triggers worship. 音乐激发敬拜。
As Nebuchadnezzar understood, music has a profound effect upon the heart. 音乐对心有很深的影响。
It shepherds the heart, coaxing worship commitments from those who hear it. 它牧养人心，劝导听见的人作出敬拜委身。
Music is often like an intoxicant, causing people to act inebriated. 音乐常常就像酒精，让人沉醉。
Music functions like an intoxicant to the heart, causing one to often not think clearly. 音乐就像是心脏的麻醉剂，常常让人无法清晰地思考。
Socrates (470-399 BC) said that music is the one medium which goes directly into man’s heart. 苏格拉底（公元前 470-399）说，音乐是直接进入人心的一种媒介。
It does not first enter man’s reason, but circumvents it, so that one is encouraged to act on emotion. 音乐不会首先进入人的理性，而是绕过理性，以让人受到鼓舞依照情感行动。
Godly music encourages the worship of God.敬虔的音乐激励对神的敬拜。
Ungodly music encourages the worship of the creation. 悖逆的音乐激励对受造之物的敬拜。
Popular music is powerful counsel. 流行音乐是强有力的辅导。
It appeals to one’s affections, feelings, tastes, and desires; it seeks to shape the whole person – to affect and direct one’s worship. 它可以唤起人的情感，品味，欲望，试图塑造全人----去影响和引导人的敬拜。
Music has a profound affect on society. 音乐对社会有着深远的影响。
Traditionally, parents and children listened to the same music. 曾几何时，父母和儿女听同样的音乐。
This had a unifying effect on the culture. 这对文化产生一种凝聚力。
However, in 1954, rock and roll music debuted, which had a profound effect upon young people. 但到了 1954 年，摇滚乐的横空出世对年轻人产生巨大的影响。
For the first time, children and parents now listened to different music. 当时，儿女和父母第一次听不同的音乐。
This sowed the seeds of family division and rebellion. 这埋下了家庭分裂和悖逆的种子。
William Congreve wrote, “music has charms to soothe a savage breast.” 威廉·康格雷夫写道：“音乐有着抚慰粗野胸怀的魅力。”
But music also has power to release the savage in the beast. 但是音乐也有释放野兽般残暴力量的势力。
The Worldview Inherent in Music
音乐内在的世界观
Beautiful music teaches something about good and evil, mankind, virtue, and noble character. 美好的音乐旨在传授善恶观、人类美德和高尚情操。
It gives people a window into the eternal, and shows something of the purpose of their lives. 它给人们打开了一扇通往永恒的窗，并展示给人们生活的价值。
Music as Worship 音乐是一种敬拜
Music was invented by God as a form of worship.音乐是神发明的一种敬拜方式。
Thus, all music should worship God. 因此，所有的音乐都应该敬拜神。
However, modern music often worships man.然而，现代音乐往往只敬拜人。
Consider an issue in the life of the church. 想想教会生活。
Churches are often divided on proper worship music.教会常常为着什么才是对的敬拜音乐而分裂。
Here is a good test concerning worship music: How many times do you count “I,” “me,” or “we” in the song? 这里是一个关于敬拜音乐的一个好问题：在一首歌里你能数到多少次“我”或“我们”？
If our worship music tends to be about our own experience, then it tends to loose focus on God. 如果我们的敬拜音乐常常是关于自己的感受，那么它对神的关注总是会变得松懈。
Worship music should be Christ-centered. 敬拜音乐应该以基督为中心。
There can be some reference to oneself, but the question is, “Does that reference tend to take attention away from Christ?”可能有一些提到自己，但问题是“那些提到自己的部分是不是将注意力从基督那里移走了?”
Worship music is created when the tongue and worshipping heart are connected. 当口唱心和的时候，敬拜音乐就被创作出来。
Thus, God is only glorified by music, when it comes from a worshipping heart. 因此，唯有当音乐来自一颗敬拜神的心时，神才会得荣耀。
This means that it is not the quality of the music which matters (although we should always strive to give God our best), but it is the heart behind the music. 这意味着重要的不是音乐的质量（尽管我们应当总是努力地将自己最好的献给神），但关键是音乐背后的心。
Student Assignment 学生作业
Research 研究内容
Student 学生
1.
Exodus 出埃及记 15:1-18
2.
Exodus 出埃及记 32:18
3.
1 Samuel 撒母耳记上 2:1-10
4.
Psalm 诗篇 98:1-9
5.
Ecclesiastes 传道书 7:5
6.
Ezekiel 以西结书 33:32
7.
Daniel 但以理书 3:5
8.
Luke 路加福音 1:46-55
9.
Revelation 启示录 18:22
Review Questions 复习样题
1.From the class notes, “A Christian Analysis of Music,” explain the idea that music has within it a worldview. 根据讲义《透过基督信仰分析音乐》 ，阐释音乐中的世界观。
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Worship Music 敬拜音乐
Introduction 导论
Worship is described as the place where heaven and earth meet.人们说敬拜犹如一个天地的交汇处。
During worship, God is glorified on earth, as he is in heaven (Matthew 马太福音 6:10). 在敬拜中，神在地上得荣耀，如同在天。
The Invention of Music 音乐的发明
The first musician, Jubal, “was the father of all who play the harp and flute.”第一位音乐家犹八是一切弹琴吹箫之人的祖师 (Genesis 创世记 4:21).
Since that time some used music for man’s glory, and others for God’s glory. 那个时候的人有奏乐赞美人的，也有歌唱荣耀神的。
However, the concept of music is certainly God’s idea. 但是，音乐必定是神的创造。
He invented music to bring glory to himself. 祂发明了音乐荣耀自己。
The World’s Music 世俗音乐
John Calvin (1509-1564) spent much of his time ministering in Geneva, Switzerland. 约翰·加尔文大部分时间都在瑞士日内瓦传教。
Geneva was a crossroads for trade, and thus, brought much depraved entertainment with its transient residents.
日内瓦是一个贸易枢纽，那里的旅居居民的娱乐活动十分放纵。
John Calvin noted the abuse of music on the streets, and in the taverns. 约翰·加尔文注意到了街上和酒馆里对音乐的滥用。
Music only gave “…foolish delight by which it seduces men from better employments and occupies them in vanity.” 音乐不过是让人“不务正业，用空虚填充人们生活的愚昧快感”。
Calvin’s phrase “foolish delight” might best describe most modern music. 加尔文的这句“愚昧的快感”可能是对最现代的音乐最好的形容。
It delights for a moment, but leaves the fool more foolish. 它快乐一时，却让愚昧人更愚昧。
Much secular music incites the heart into war with God. 很多世俗音乐引诱人的心灵与神争战。
Calvin observed, “When melody goes with [music], every bad word penetrates more deeply into the heart…” 加尔文观察到, “当旋律与音乐相配合时，每一句脏话都能更深入人心…”
Music functions like a venom of corruption that is funneled into the very bottom of the heart by melody.音乐的作用就像一种腐败的毒液，通过旋律流入心灵的最深处。
Calving further noted, “Songs composed only for sweetness and delight of the ear are unbecoming to the majesty of the church, and displease God.” 加尔文进一步指出,“只为悦耳动听而创作的歌曲与教会的威严是不相称的，也是不讨神喜悦的。”
Calvin’s point is that Christians do not want to fill the church with merely sweet and delightful music, music which appeals to the lust of the flesh. 加尔文的重点是基督徒不想要充满教会的音乐仅仅是悦耳动听、体贴人肉体的情欲。
Definitions 定义
Before we continue our discussion, we will define two terms:在开始音乐的讨论之前，我们应该定义两个词汇:
1.Musical form (the musicality) 音乐形式（音韵）
2.Musical content (the lyrics) 音乐内容（歌词）
Musical form refers to the sound of the music, its musical quality, its pitch, and mood. 音乐形式指的是音乐的音色、音质、音高和情调。
A song’s rhythm is a crucial factor in evaluating its musical value for worship. 音乐的节拍是评价敬拜音乐的关键要素。
Musical content refers to the lyrics. 音乐内容指的是歌词。
What is the song’s message? 这首歌传达了什么信息?
The form of the music is its message. 音乐的形式便是它的内容。
One might think of musicality as the road which allows the lyrics to invade the heart. 可以把音韵看作让歌词入侵心灵的歌词。
Consider God’s two means of revelation: 想想神的两种启示：
1.General revelation – the creation 普遍启示——受造界
2.Special revelation – Scripture 特殊启示——圣经
General revelation might be thought of as the form of God’s communication. 普遍启示如同神的交流形式。
Special revelation might be the content of God’s communication.特殊启示如同神交流的内容。
This means that general revelation is the background against which special revelation is set. 普遍启示如同突出特殊启示的背景。
In the same way, musical form is the background against which its content is set. 同样，音乐的形式是音乐内容的背景。
When we evaluate worship music (or any music), we consider both its form and its content. 当我们评价敬拜音乐(或任何音乐) 时，既要考虑形式，也要考虑内容。
Is the form God-honoring? 音乐形式荣耀神吗?
Is the message true to God’s Word? 音乐中的信息忠于神的道吗?
Thus, it is possible that a song contains a truthful message, but its form is not in accord with that truth (such as rap music). 因此，有的歌曲可能歌词内容纯正，但形式却不符合真理 (比如说唱音乐)。
On the other hand, a song may have an elegant and majestic form, while its content is not in accord with sound biblical doctrine (Example: _____). 另一方面，一首歌曲可能形式优美或庄严，但它的内容不符合纯正圣经教义(例如: 《你是唯一》)。
Thus, form and content must be God-honoring for a song to be suitable for use in worship.因此，歌曲的形式和内容必须都是敬拜神的，才适合在敬拜中使用。
It is also important that the form does not overpower the content.另一个重要的事是形式不应该压过内容。
Thus, the form should magnify the content. 因此，形式应该放大内容。
Student Exercise 学生练习
Do you feel that the song 有一天 is suitable for church worship?你觉得《有一天》这首歌适合用于教会敬拜吗？
Explain your answer. 请解释。
God Desires Praise 神喜爱赞美
God desires his people to sing praises to him.神喜爱他的百姓唱歌赞美他。
There are many examples throughout Scripture.整本圣经中有许多这样的例子。
Examples of Music as Praise to God
圣经中赞美神的音乐
1. Moses sang a song of praise after the Exodus.
出埃及以后，摩西唱了一首赞歌。
Exodus 出埃及记 15:1-21
2. Deborah sang after the victory over Sisera.
底波拉打败西西拉以后歌唱。
Judges 士师记 5
3. King David played the harp, and wrote many of the Psalms. 大卫王弹琴，又写许多诗篇。
1 Samuel 撒母耳记上16:14-23
Examples of Music as Praise to God
圣经中赞美神的音乐
4. Jesus sang Psalms 116, 117, 118 (known as the “Hallel”) with his disciples at the Last Supper.
耶稣和他的门徒在最后的晚餐上唱了诗篇 116，117，118（以“哈列”闻名）。
Matthew 马太福音 26:30
While in jail, Paul and Silas sang a hymn of praise to God. 保罗和西拉在监里唱诗赞美神。
Acts 使徒行传 16:25
Revelation 14:2, 3, tells us that there singing in heaven, as the heavenly choir joins in praise to God. 启示录 14:2, 3, 告诉我们，在天堂里歌唱，天上的唱诗班加入了赞美神的行列。
Praising God is the reason we were created. 我们被造是为了赞美神。
Being in God’s image, means that our praise brings the most glory to God, far above that of the angels. 我们以神的形象存在，意味着我们的赞美给神带来最大的荣耀，远大过天使的赞美。
Thus, when we praise God, our spirit finds comfort and joy.
因此，当我们赞美神的时候，我们的心灵就会感到安慰和喜乐。
God’s goal, in calling us to belong to him, is that we might be “for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 以弗所书 1:6, 12, 14). 神呼召我们归与他的目的，是要我们“使他的荣耀得着称赞”。
“A song of praise is like a mirror we hold up to God, reflecting his glory back to himself.” 赞美之歌就像一面我们举向神的镜子，将他的荣耀反射到他自己身上。
While the angels praise God in song, the Christian is uniquely suited to glorify God with song. 虽然天使们用歌声赞美神，但基督徒对于用歌声来荣耀神有着独特的合宜之处。
In fact, each Christian, as a vessel of the Holy Spirit, must cry out in song. 事实上，每个基督徒都是圣灵的器皿，必须以歌声呼喊。
That Spirit cannot be contained. 那灵令人含忍不住。
Jesus Sings 耶稣唱诗
Even though seldom mentioned, Jesus sang, and continues to sing:虽然圣经很少提及耶稣唱歌，但是确有记载表明耶稣的唱诗：
1. Matthew 26:30 (Mark 14:26) speaks of Jesus singing with his disciples at the Last Supper. 马太福音 26:30 (马可福音 14:26) 提到耶稣和他的门徒在最后的晚餐上唱歌。
2. Romans 15:9 speaks of Jesus singing and playing an instrument.罗马书 15:9 讲到耶稣唱歌和演奏乐器。
3. Hebrews 2:12 pictures Jesus singing in praise.希伯来书 2:12 描述了耶稣歌唱赞美的画面。
Jesus sings the Psalms, because the Psalms are the Bible’s song book, giving expression to the Christian’s emotions. 耶稣用诗篇歌唱，因为诗篇是圣经中的诗歌本，对基督徒的情感予以抒发。
The Psalms capture the full spectrum of the believer’s experience, helping the believer to articulate his inner life.诗篇捕捉到信徒全部的经历，帮助信徒将内在生命发出声音。
The Modern Focus on Worship Music现代对敬拜音乐的关注
The modern church seems more focused on the question of appropriate worship music, than at any other time in its history.现代教会似乎比历史上任何时候都更在乎什么样的敬拜音乐是合宜的。
In fact, the question of music rarely comes up in the epistles.事实上，音乐的问题很少出现在书信中。
Thus, it does not seem to have been a major problem to early Christians, who likely all agreed on proper worship music. 因此，对初代基督徒来说，音乐似乎并不是一个大问题，他们对敬拜音乐很可能是一致认同的。
However, today worship music often causes deep divides in the church.然而，今天的敬拜音乐常常导致教会内严重的分歧。
Likely, because the modern world has crafted so many types of music, the question has become more pressing.可能是因为现代世界创造了繁杂的音乐类型，这个问题就变得紧迫。
It is not surprising that musical style is now one of the greatest causes of division in churches. 音乐风格是教会分裂的最大原因之一，这并不令人惊讶。
Since Christian music now includes every genre, it is no wonder that Christians are often confused about whether particular music is suitable for worship. 由于基督教音乐现在包括了所有的音乐流派，难怪基督徒经常会困惑哪些音乐是适合敬拜的。
There is a danger that, in this discussion, we so focus on the correct form of worship, that we make the worship itself into the object of our worship. 在这个讨论中，有一种危险是过于专注敬拜的正确形式，而使敬拜本身成为我们敬拜的对象。
In other words, we do not want to worship worship, but we want to be sure that our worship is directed toward God, for him alone to hear.换句话说，我们不想敬拜“敬拜”，但我们要确定我们的敬拜是面对神的，是单单为了让他听见。
Modern people often choose their church based on whether they like the music. 现代人经常根据音乐来选择教会。
This means that as long as they have a good feeling from the music, they think this is an uplifting and “spiritual” church. 意思是只要他们感觉那里的音乐不错，就会觉得这是一个鼓舞人心的“属灵的”教会。
In fact, fewer Christians focus on the preaching.事实上，基督徒注重讲道的人更少。
They wait for the preaching to be finished, so that they can sing more praise songs. 他们等待证道结束，这样他们就可以接着唱赞美诗。
The worship music sets the stage for the congregation to receive the preaching. 敬拜音乐为会众领受证道奠定基础。
Thus, one might think of the worship music as tilling the soil of the heart, so that the seed of God’s Word can take root within it. 因此，可以把敬拜音乐看作是耕耘心灵之土，让神话语的种子在里面扎根。
Three Crucial Elements in Worship Music 敬拜音乐的三个关键
Notes with the Diagram 图表注解
In order for music to worship God in spirit and in truth, three elements must be present: 为了在音乐中用心灵和诚实敬拜神，必须满足三个要素：
1. The heart: worship in each of those singing 心灵：每个人歌唱时的敬拜之心
(A priest focuses on worship.) 祭司职分侧重于敬拜。
2. The song: music which is suitable to worship God, both in its musicality, and in its content 歌曲：适合用来敬拜神的音乐，在音韵和内容上都是如此
(A prophet refers to truth, text, and meaning.)先知职分包括真理、经文和意义。
3. A congregation gathered for worship, in which each participant raises his voice in praise 齐声高唱一起敬拜的会众
(A king displays power.) 君王职分中表现出能力。
So, in summary, for worship to take place, there must be the heart, the song, and the voices proclaiming that song. 所以，总结来说，敬拜一定要有心灵、歌曲和声音一起高歌。
All three are necessary to bring worship to God through music.这三者对于借着音乐敬拜神来说是缺一不可的。
The following analysis is presented according to these three categories. 以下分析便是按照心灵、歌曲和会众三个要素进行的。
Consider the way in which evil mimics God’s designs:想想邪恶是如何模仿神的设计的：
Worship 敬拜
Evil 邪恶
1. The heart 心灵
The flesh 肉体
2. The song (the text) 歌曲（传递信息）
The devil 魔鬼
3. The congregation 会众
The world 世界
The heart was designed to worship God; the flesh makes it worship man (or the creation, generally).心灵应该敬拜神；肉体使得它敬拜人（或者广义上说受造物）。
The song (the text) is designed to give truthful content to praise for God; the devil fills man with lies. 歌曲（传递的信息）应该要把真理带到对神的赞美中；魔鬼却用谎言充满人。
The devil gives man a false song. 魔鬼给了人错误的歌曲。
The congregation was meant to gather for praise; the world gathers to turn men to evil, the collective voice of the flesh. 会众应该聚在一起赞美；世界把人聚在一起作恶，把肉体的声音集合在一起。
The Christian must daily pray that the Lord would put a new song in his heart (Psalm 诗篇 98:1), that the Christian would continually turn from: 基督徒必须每天祈求神在他心里放一首新歌，让基督徒不断地转离：
1.The false worship of the flesh 肉体的错误敬拜
2.Satan’s lies 撒旦的谎言
3.The world’s congregation 世俗的会众
So, that the Christian would daily fill his heart with a song of praise. 所以，基督徒要每天用赞美的歌填满他的心。
Worship According to Scripture
合乎圣经的敬拜
Psalm 111 tells us the type of praise that God desires:
诗篇 111 告诉我们神想要的敬拜是:
1.Praise from the heart 发自心灵的赞美
2.Praise from the entire congregation 全体会众的赞美
The Heart: Worshipping Through Music
心灵：借着音乐敬拜
Many Christians wrongly believe that if their church’s praise music creates a certain good feeling within people, then that is good praise music. 许多基督徒错误地相信如果他们教会的赞美音乐能在人们心中创造某种美好的感觉，就是好的赞美音乐。
This is a wrong way to see the praise experience.这是对赞美的错误看法。
Worship is a response of the heart. 敬拜发自人的肺腑心肠。
Thus, worship music must encourage the heart to worship God.因此，敬拜音乐必须带给人敬拜神的鼓舞。
Not all music, through both its form or content, encourages the heart to worship God. 不是所有音乐的形式和内容都能鼓舞人的心敬拜神。
Many Christians feel that praise music is created in the church.
许多基督徒感觉赞美音乐是在教会里创作的。
That music then fills the congregation, sparking praise in those attending. 音乐之声在会众中间响起，创造了那些参与者的赞美。
This is incorrect. 这是不正确的。
Praise is not created from the outside in, but from the inside out.赞美不是由外而内的，而是由内而外的。
Praise is generated within the congregation’s hearts.赞美是从会众的心中流露出来的。
That praise overflows into song. 人的心中满了赞美，就流溢出了诗歌。
Thus, praise music flows from within Christians. 因此，赞美的音乐是从基督徒里面流淌出来的。
Thus, praise music should flow spontaneously from a heart bursting with love for God and others.因此，赞美之声应该从一颗爱神爱人的心里自然而然地发出。
So, a Christian should not be commanded to sing.所以，一个基督徒不应该被要求去唱歌。
Song should flow naturally from him, even if he has little musical talent, from the world’s perspective. 就算一个人从世俗的角度来看五音不全，他的歌声也应该自然流露。
Christians should always strive for excellence in all that they do. 基督徒应该在凡事上竭诚为主。
However, they must never judge the quality of their praise against the world’s standards.但是，基督徒绝不应该用世俗的标准评判他人的赞美。
God is more pleased with a willing heart, than with superlative talent. 比起精湛的声乐，神更喜爱乐意摆上的心。
Christians should be content if their abilities are modest, that God can do great things, even with those who are mediocre in the world’s eyes (1 Corinthians 哥林多前书 1:27-31). 就算基督徒的能力有限，也当知足。就算有的信徒是世界看不上的，神仍能够借着他们成就大事。
Thus, the church should not recruit outside musicians for a special performance (and should not clap for those leading the worship). 因此，教会不应该为了一场特别的表演招募外邦音乐人（也不该为那些带领敬拜的人鼓掌）。
The musicians already in the congregation are adequate to bring God the praise he desires from this body of believers. 会众里的音乐人已经各就各位，要从信徒身体中带给神祂所喜悦的赞美。
Even if those believers lack particular musical talent, whatever music they produce is pleasing in God’s eyes. 即使那些信徒缺乏音乐才能，他们所演奏所歌唱的在神的眼中仍然是可喜爱的。
Often those with the most talent are quick to rely upon themselves, and to forget their need for God. 往往那些最有才能的人很快地依靠他们自己，忘记了他们对神的需要。
While those with the least talent, are uniquely positioned to most glorify God by learning to rely upon him. 而那些才能最浅薄的，却借着依靠神，而被放在一个最荣耀神的独特位置上。
So, the church does not need the best musicians leading worship, only those who are faithful, and who rely upon God moment by moment for the ability to serve him faithfully. 因此，教会不需要最好的音乐人带领敬拜，唯独需要那些敬虔的人，他们每时每刻地为自己的能力依靠神、忠心服侍祂。
The Song: The Form and Content of Worship Music歌曲：敬拜音乐的形式与内容
“We know by experience that music has a secret and almost incredible power to move hearts.” (Martin Luther) 经验告诉我们，音乐有着打动人心的力量，我们说不上来但这股力量让我们觉得不可思议。 (马丁·路德)
John Calvin agreed with Luther (1483-1546) in asserting that Christians need to be especially diligent in regulating what type of music is permitted in worship. 约翰·加尔文同意路德的观点，他坚定地说基督徒需要特别勤勉地规范在敬拜中允许使用哪类音乐。
What is appropriate to sing in the house of God must be “neither light nor frivolous,” wrote Calvin, but it must “have weight and majesty.” 加尔文写道，适合在神之家演唱的歌曲必须“既不轻佻，也不浮华”，必须“有分量有威严.”
There was a place for a style of “music which one makes to entertain men at table and in their houses.”有一种风格的音乐是“在家里用餐时的背景音乐”。
But, Calvin argued that there was a great difference between entertaining music “and the psalms which are sung in the Church in the presence of God and his angels.” 但是，加尔文认为，用于娱乐的音乐和“在神和天使面前，在教会里唱的赞美诗”之间有“巨大的区别.”
Not all music is capable of bearing the weight of the majesty of God himself. 不是所有的音乐都能承载神的威严。
Some characteristics of worship music: 敬拜音乐的特征:
1.To be suitable for worship, the music must reflect the character of God. 适合敬拜的音乐必须体现神的性情。
2. Worship music should teach sound doctrine.敬拜音乐必须教导纯正教义。
(Even if one does not pay careful attention to the lyrics, they still have an effect). 就算一个人不在意歌词，它们仍旧产生着影响。
3. Worship music is designed to encourage Christians to engage in spiritual battle (the battle for men’s hearts).敬拜音乐是为了鼓励基督徒参与属灵的争战（人心的争战)。
Acts 使徒行传 16:24-26: Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.禁卒领了这样的命，就把他们下在内监里，两脚上了木狗。约在半夜，保罗和西拉，祷告唱诗赞美神，众囚犯也侧耳而听。忽然地大震动，甚至监牢的地基都摇动了。监门立刻全开，众囚犯的锁链也都松开了。
Notice that Paul and Silas prayed and sang while in prison, with a tremendous effect upon all present.请注意保罗和西拉在狱中祷告唱诗，对在场的每个人都影响巨大。
4. Worship music unifies Christians, so that they feel a part of one voice on earth. 敬拜音乐使基督徒合一，因而他们都发自世上同一个声音。
5. Worship music is meant to bring healing to lives which are suffering.敬拜音乐用来给遭受苦难的生命带来医治。
Worship through song must amplify our worship, through hearing and responding to God’s Word.用歌唱来敬拜神的时候，必须通过聆听和回应神的话来放大我们的敬拜。
Thus, music is designed to highlight, and draw out, the truths of Scripture. 因此，音乐的目的是强调和引出圣经的真理。
If the song worship is only an emotional experience, then the Word of God will be neglected, because it might not provide the same experience. 如果敬拜只是一种情感体验，那么神的话语就会被忽视，因为它可能不能提供同样的体验。
The Word of God is to be the focal point of the Christian’s worship.神的话语是基督徒敬拜的焦点。
What we do when we come into the presence of the living God through worship, is regulated by God himself, in his Word alone. 当我们在永活的神面前敬拜时，我们所做的事，都是神亲自在他的话语中规定的。
Anything else is idolatry. 除此以外都是拜偶像。
Psalm 诗篇 96:1: Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 你们要向耶和华唱新歌。全地都要向耶和华歌唱。
This Psalm commands believers to “sing a new song.”这篇诗篇吩咐信徒“唱新歌”。
Thus, Christians must put away songs that appeal to the flesh, and embrace those which exalt God’s character. 因此，作为基督徒，我们必须抛开那些体贴肉体的歌曲，拥抱那些高举神性情的歌曲。
Often Christians seek to sing a “borrowed” song unto the Lord.
基督徒经常向主唱“借来的”歌。
This means that they seek to imitate the songs of men, thinking that this will make the Christian message more appealing to the world.这意味着他们模仿世人的歌曲，认为这会使基督的真道更吸引世界。
However, this dishonors God. 然而，这是对神的羞辱。
Whenever the church imitates the world, such as in musicality and lyrics, it weakens its witness to the world. 教会无论何时效仿世界，包括在音韵和歌词上，就削弱了向世界作出的见证。
Additionally, the world loses respect for the church, because its message appears to be hollow. 另外，世界失去对教会的尊重，因为它的道显得空洞。
Thus, imitating the world does not make the church more attractive to the world, but rather less attractive. 因此，效仿世界不会让教会变得对世界具有吸引力，而是更加没有吸引力。
The Spectrum of Worship Music
敬拜音乐的范围
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