Psalm 47 is an incredible Psalm of worship and praise – one which today’s lead worshippers should go to often for encouragement to do what we do. Here we are exhorted to clap our hands, “Shout to God with the voice of joy,” and sing praises to God. Why? Because “the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.” We are encouraged to be very active – celebratory in our response to God – because He is a great King! If there is any reason to do what we do with all that we are, it is simply because He is great. He is God!

Sometimes our act of worship - our response to God - leads us to quiet reverence in prayer or meditative reflection. However there is a reason why musicians love Psalm 47. In nine short verses, there are at least nine references to some type of noise, music or singing. In fact, to make his point, the psalmist repeats himself four times in verse six exhorting us to “sing praises!” But it is the next verse that strikes me in this psalm. The psalmist declares “For God is King of all the earth; Sing praises with a skillful psalm.” What does the psalmist mean when he calls us to sing with a skillful psalm? As we wage the battle in today’s generation with what worship “feels like”, “sounds like”, and what “works”, I was struck with what Charles Spurgeon writes in his commentary on this verse. Spurgeon, one of our faith’s most highly respected theologians, lived in the 19th century. Hear the heart of his words.

“Sound doctrine praises God. Even under types and ceremonies, it is clear that the Lord had regard to the spirituality of worship, and wants to be praised thoughtfully. It is to be feared from the slovenly way in which some make a noise in singing, that they fancy any sound will do. On the other hand, from the great attention paid by some to the mere music, we feel sadly sure that the sense has no effect upon them. Is it not a sin to be tickling men’s ears with sounds when we profess to be adoring the Lord? Do not people mistake physical effects for spiritual impulses?”

However, in today’s generation where worship music has gained such popularity and notoriety, Spurgeon helps us spy a danger. Yes, excellence in music glorifies God – so we must work to do our best for His glory. But worship is not about the music. It’s all about God – the Creator of the music! Music is simply a means by which we can together express our praise to Him. Spurgeon asked us a question: “Is it not a sin to be tickling men’s ears with sounds when we profess to be adoring the Lord?” The answer, of course, is “yes” if our sounds (the music) are made at the expense of our adoration!

Is the chord progression cool? Great – because God can be glorified by cool chord progressions. Are the transitions “seamless?” Great – because that too can glorify God. But, let us not “mistake physical effects for spiritual impulses” by thinking that just because something sounds great, God’s in on it. God doesn’t “show up” when a great song is done well, and then leave if a wrong note is played or someone sings off key! Yes, He’s glorified by excellence, but He’s SO much more concerned about our heart, our obedience and our total dependence on Him.

Let’s praise Him with a “skillful psalm.” As Psalm 47 so rightly concludes – “For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted!”