Healing, Restoration, and Deliverance to God's People
In this issue we will be looking at chord structure and tempo.
Harmonically, if the chordal structure is without logic, it will leave a sense of illogic feeling in the listener. Reactions may tend to be illogical. For instance, a dissonant chord, that is, notes played together that clash within a chord, could be abrasive and grating in the mind if it is used in the wrong way. Dissonance is a buildup of tension and must be used only deliberately and carefully, and in a controlled manner.
There are proper ways by godly design for these types of chords to be used to emphasize a certain communication within music, but generally not throughout the song. It would be used, for example, to show contrast between what is very harmonious and pleasing to the ear resulting in edification compared to that which is a negative point in the song. Contrasts are good in showing the goodness of God and the badness of the devil. Wherever dissonance is used, there is always a need for resolution so that the listener perceives the beauty, emotion, and expressiveness in the music.
Obviously, in godly design, the harmonious chords will edify, soothe, comfort, and encourage a believer, unlike clashing notes. In a certain sense, this resolution to consonance, or uplifting chords that release the tension which is brought on by dissonance, will bring the music back to highlighting God'sWord and the spirit of God. In order to be healed, the mind needs proper food, which is the Word of God. The construction of chord structure in a song should generally be consistent with the key in which the song is written. If not, then illogic thought patterns develop, confusing the mind of the listener.
71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.I Corinthians 14: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
God designed the human ear to receive Him, the spirit of God, and all that He has available.
Proverbs 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.Isaiah 50:4b and 5 4b…he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.9The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.I Corinthians 2:9 and 10 9as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Just as Elisha received from God in II Kings 3:15 after being ministered to by music, so God gave us ears to hear music by which we can receive ministering.
II Kings 3:15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.
Chords that are malformed and played throughout a song will only allow the ear to send malformed thoughts to the mind, which will ultimately cause deformed, twisted, and distorted brain patterns; the same kind of actions will follow. Melodious chords are pleasing to the ear and heart. Just as the notes within the chord are in unity with one another, symphonious and harmonious*, the product of listening to them with believing will be unity with God, harmonious fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, and with one another. The Body of Christ will move as a symphony**, each member giving to every part as by the grace of God. This is healing!
*Harmonious, 1) adapted to each other; having the parts proportioned to each other; symmetrical; 2) concordant; consonant; symphonious; 3) agreeing; living in peace and friendship; as a harmonious family or society. (Noah Webster, 1828)
**Symphony, a consonance or harmony of sounds agreeable to the ear, whether the sounds are vocal or instrumental, or both; a musical instrument; a full concert; an overture or composition for instruments. (Noah Webster, 1828)
Romans 12:4-8 4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;810Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.I Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind [nous] and in the same judgment. [opinion].
This can all be done in music. I Corinthians 12:12-27 is a beautiful section of Scripture concerning members in particular working together in symphony.
I Corinthians 12:12-27 12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews orGentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink intoone Spirit.14For the body is not one member, but many.15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is ittherefore not of the body?16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.19And if they were all one member, where were the body?20But now are they many members, yet but one body.21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Without getting into a study on the theory of major and minor chords, I will give a very brief explanation.
Major chords have a tendency to be enriching, and are uplifting and inspirational; minor chords have a tendency to lessen these qualities, having the potential to instigate feelings of despair, misery, dejeciton, and melancholy.
There is nothing wrong with minor chords; on the contrary, if properly used, they have a propensity to underscore contrast and to convey a sense of sobriety within the melody.
Tempo, the speed of music, also carries emotional implications; the response is physical and psychological. The pulse, the breathing, the entire being adjusts to the rate of movement, and to mood and sentiment engendered on the conscious and subconscious levels of the mind. Also, crescendo (gradual swelling) in conjunction with accelerando (faster) produces excitement as surely as decrescendo (diminishing) together with ritardando (slower) slackens it.
In the world, the devil has used this principle of tempo in an evil way to destroy the continuity and equilibrium of a believer's walk with God. In tempo there must be a balance of change, if any. It should always be used in underlining the movement and workings of God in the heart of an individual. It will emphasize the dynamics of God.
Music for the believer of God must have truth and love in it, having the effect of building up, encouraging, exhorting, and comforting, to help a believer simply walk with God. All else is vanity.
Ephesians 4:14-15 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
To be continued... ÿ
Note: All scripture is from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. NIV indicates The New International Version, NKJV indicates the New King James Version, ASV means the American Standard Version, BBE means the Bible in Basic English, DBY means the Darby translation, NAU means the American Standard Version, 1995 Edition, and NAB means the New American Bible translation. For more information, go to the Works Cited page.