No solos, please.
"It was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, 'For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,' the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God."
(2 Chronicles 5:13-14)
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once penned 7 Rules for Congregational Singing. Written in the 1761 Methodist hymnal, they are as follows:
1. Learn these tunes... before you learn any others, afterwards learn as many as you please.
2. Sing them exactly as they are printed here... without altering or mending them at all; if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
3. Sing all... see that you joint he congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you.
4. Sing lustily... and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half-dead or half-asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sang the songs of Satan.
5. Sing modestly... do not bawl so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation that you may not destroy the harmony, but strive to unite your voices together so as to make one melodious sound.
6. Sing in time... whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it...
7. Sing spiritually... have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself, or any other creature.
I was reminded of these when reading today's Bible passage from 2 Chronicles 5... especially Wesley's rule #6! Solomon is dedicating the newly built Temple in Jerusalem to the LORD, and 120 priests (who also double as a great brass section - all playing trumpets!) plus singers are leading worship.
The verse that caught my attention was the instruction to "make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving." I read this as if solos were not desired. Why? Because it's a CONGREGATIONAL song. Sing together. Sing modestly. Sing in unison & harmony. When we united our voices (and our hearts and lives) with others in worship, it can be a powerful, powerful experience. But this insight goes even beyond music. Live in unison. Live in harmony. Live with one another (and all of creation). Don't keep making it a time to 'go solo' with your life. Be intentional about community... and you'll find the joy of living in unison, your life an offering of thanksgiving to God. AMEN.