Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs

Selecting a song for ministry can be a daunting challenge. Those who understand the ministry of movement know that songs cannot be chosen just because they evoke emotion or are popular. When walking in obedience to the Lord, what He wants to declare must override what we want to say. The Word of the Lord prevails!

Some songs today may get us excited and immediately will bring a crowd to its feet. This does not indicate that the lyrics agree with the Word of God or follow sound doctrine. We must examine the words of the song in comparison with Scripture and then be sure that the movement agrees with the context of it all. If God said it, that settles it!

To gain an in depth understanding of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, take this class by Candice Lewis at DANCE MINISTRY DETOX July 16th-18th in Las Vegas, Nevada. An anointed psalmist and mime minister, Candice understands the delicate balance of marrying movement with the music and the Word.

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Or call (877) 420-4777 for more information.

"Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs"
Workshop Instructor: Candice Lewis, Omega Worship Center
Judah First Mime Ministries

1 Samuel 29:5
Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?

Acts 16:25
[The Philippian Jailer Saved] But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The Sound of Music

There are some that argue that music is not powerful in itself. Some denominations also believe that music has no place in the worship service. It is pertinent that the words that are written for gospel songs are accurate and scripturally sound. We must not mistake the function of music that comes by the inspiration of the Lord. The role of music in the dance ministry must not be taken for granted.

We can discern the spirit behind the music by observation of the people. When we are in a worship setting, music should not inspire people to emulate seductive movements upon hearing it played. Just as dance ministers are admonished to have a relationship with the Lord, musicians must know Him as well. If the church service transitions from praise and worship into a club-like atmosphere, we must explore what it is about the music that causes people to divert. Opinions of men do not matter. When we study the Word of God, we will be more careful to offer music that brings glory to Him and does not move the flesh.

Music can be used in a prophetic manner. Music can accompany healing. Music is used in conjunction with dancing. Music is offered as praise unto the Lord. Music is used to aid people in remembering the Word of the Lord. Music is not to be worshipped, it is to be used in the manner for which it is created. When we take care to select or create music that honors God, the ministry of movement will flow with ease and effectiveness on an even greater level.

2 Kings 3:15 (NKJV)
But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

1 Samuel 10:5 (NKJV)
After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying.

1 Chronicles 23:5 (NKJV)
Four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand praised the LORD with musical instruments, “which I made,” said David, “for giving praise.”

1 Chronicles 25:1-3 (NKJV)
Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was: Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king. Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

Psalm 150:4 (NKJV)
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Testimony Service

Hearing testimonies that we can relate to greatly serve to edify the church. Hearing and seeing them through movement ministry should also benefit the saints. When we do not understand the purpose of dance as a ministry, we may find ourselves sharing scenerios that are not relative to others. Our struggles and testimonies are valuable, but may not always be appropriate for an audience at that time.

Dancers who face tremendous difficulties in life may sometimes use a ministry invitation as an occasion to work through whatever problems they may have through music and movement. We must remember that ministry is service. Though we may be blessed by the songs that we minister to in truth, the primary purpose is to serve others. Witnessing a dancer have an emotional breakdown during ministry may invoke sympathy, but will be less likely to bless the observers. Getting emotional is normal, but allowing negative emotions to run amok should be worked out before we step in front of people.

Songs about personal experiences should be used prayerfully. When we allow the Lord to select the songs that we minister, He will give us the time and place to minister them effectively. Divine timing will result in agreement from the viewer and encourage the people. Let our testimonies serve as opportunities to bring glory to God and Him alone.

Luke 21:13 (NKJV)
But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV)
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

1 John 5:11 (NKJV)
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Witness The Silent Prophetess- Ministering in Motion Effectively

Disc Jockey Dancer

Let us do what is right in the sight of the Lord. There are some things that are not outright sins, but if it is the wrong thing for us to do, then it is not righteousness. It is important to know what our function is in the Body, as well as our roles in the dance ministry.

I am called to minister through movement, but that is not my only assignment. This calling is challenged on a regular basis. I refuse to be entertainment or forced to accommodate spectators because a "praise dancer" would be a great addition to the program in question. I am frequently asked to minister to specific songs chosen by the event host, but I must decline if the Lord has not ordained me to minister to that selection. I am not a "jukebox or on-demand" dance performer. If the request is confirmed in my spirit, it may be considered, but is not automatic. Trust God for His leading.

Jesus did not perform for spectators as evidenced in Luke 23:8, "Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him." We do not dance to give people chills and thrills. We must be careful not to be lured with bright lights and large platforms. We must go where the Lord leads and minister as He mandates.

When we become puppets for people, we run the risk of operating in witchcraft (controlling spirits). Look at the story of Herodias' daughter. It is not always that the motives of people are impure, it is that our own loyalty and obedience will be revealed by what we agree to.

Isaiah 58:2 (NKJV)
Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God.

Psalm 137:3 (NKJV)
For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

Matthew 14: 6-8 (NKJV)
But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

James 4:17 (NKJV)
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Eye for an "I"

When we are selecting songs for ministry, we must always be aware of lyrical content. There are some songs that make us feel good and stir our emotions when we hear them. There are some songs that bring us to tears. There are songs that make us want to get up and dance. There are songs that evoke good and bad memories.

There are also songs that bring more attention to "us" than the Lord. All songs in the gospel and Christian music categories are not all necessarily acknowledging Christ. If the songs use "I" a lot and do not glorify God, then we must do inventory on our own spiritual well-being. We may choose songs at times that are based on what ministers to our personal life situations. Let us always remember (as with the prophets in the Bible), the Lord will give messages that are also directed towards other people.

If it will help, take a look at the written lyrics of a song and dissect what each word is saying, and then its overall message. We have liberty through the Spirit and can minister spiritual songs as long as they are in line with the Word. God is Spirit. This same evaluation can apply to our choreography as well. Are all of the movements pointing to us (chest, heart, head, etc)? If the words repeat "I," "me" and "we" often and refers to man instead of the Lord, then we need to confront who the song is really about, and Who gets the ultimate glory.

Amos 5:22-24 (NKJV)
Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water.

Psalm 96:1 (NKJV)
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Luke 1:46-47 (NKJV)
[The Song of Mary] And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Night and Day

We should celebrate His birth and Resurrection every day. It seems that certain times of the year bring out the standard "Christmas" and "Resurrection" songs. It is true that these are the times when those who have stayed away from church fellowship usually fill the sanctuaries. We must remember that there are those who sit in church Sunday after Sunday and are still lost. Let us bless the Lord at all times.

When we depend on the Lord to lead us, His Word will always bring confirmation. Trying to pick songs to match a certain theme or occasion may be great to a degree, but if the Lord wants us to say something different to His people, then we must always stay in the place where we can heard Him clearly. When we try to force a song to fit a theme exactly, we run the risk of operating in the flesh. There are many songs that can reflect the concept of a theme without being literal.

There are some dance ministries that do not have as much freedom and liberty to make these choices. In the ever-growing corporate invasion of the church, many dance ministries are governed by leadership that tells them which songs to dance to. Although we all desire to be on one accord, it is stifling to minister to songs that are only being choreographed because we have been told to do so. If trustworthy dance ministers are selected to lead, then some liberty should follow concerning the choice of songs used. When we agree to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, He will make the way clear.

Psalm 28:7 (NKJV)
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.

Psalm 42:8 (NKJV)
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 81:2 (NKJV)
Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute.

Carry On!

When we realize that even the slightest things can act as hinderances in ministry, then we will counter-attack these ploys by making an effort to prevent obvious distractions for the dance minister. There are several areas that can be sources of stress that include music, garments, traffic, and phone calls. With some planning and wisdom, we can make ministry dates less stressful.

Music: We should carry a clean copy of our music on both CD and iPod. When carrying an iPod or other music player, please bring your own cable, just in case. If at all possible, arrive early and talk to the person that will be running the music. Include any instructions (keep it simple) in writing on the outside of the CD cover. The more professional the presentation, the more respected we will be. CDs that skip and music without sufficient volume can be challenges to our patience and damper the impact of the ministry. Preparation is the key. Remember to thank the sound technicians each and every time!

Garments: If necessary, get a custom made garment bag to protect your garments. When travelling, try to carry your absolute must-haves in your carry-on luggage. Airlines can lose or delay baggage, and if the garment is needed in a hurry, having it in hand will promote peace instead of panic.

Traffic: When driving to a location, leave as early as possible in an effort to get to the location as early as possible. Irritated drivers, accidents, and simply running late will cause stress that may be prevented if we plan ahead. This will also help us find a great parking spot. Remember, if you are early, you are on time; If you are on time, you are late!

Phone Calls: Home and cell phones may ring off the hook with people wanting to gossip or pull us off track. Unless it is an emergency, limiting personal phone calls and text messages right before ministry will help us to keep our minds stayed on Him. If we must leave the communication devices in the car, then we will do what we must so that the Word may go forth trhough us without limits.

Psalm 140:4 (NKJV)
"Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to make my steps stumble."

Isaiah 26:9 (NKJV)
"With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness."

1 Corinthians 7:35 (NKJV)
"And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction."

Red and Yellow... Black and White

We used to sing a song in church when I grew up called "Jesus Loves the Little Children." In the lyrics we said, "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight..." as we referred to the many different types of people in this world. If we are truly to minister to the masses, then we must be open to a variety of songs to spread the Gospel message.

When we get stuck on our favorite song or favorite artist, then we close ourselves off from hearing what the Lord may be telling us to minister to someone else. Pray earnestly and ask the Lord to open your ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the church. Often, we will find that it is not about us, but what the Lord wants to do through us.

It's time to move from the place of comfort and into the place of faith and complete reliance on God. When we walk upright before Him, He will direct our steps. This includes not only the movement, but the Message of the Living Word that He wants to reveal to His children. Because the Lord loves creativity and diversity, we must train ourselves to love what He loves.

1 John 3:1a (NKJV)
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!"

Psalm 96:3 (NKJV)
"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples."

1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV)
"Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

Take Me Back?

Music is powerful for many reasons. When the Lord wanted the children of Israel to remember His Word, He told Moses, “Now therefore, write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel." (Deuteronomy 31:19) Songs can be remembered for many years, even when they have not been heard recently.

We must be careful when mixing secular songs with the gospel message. Contemporary music often samples other artists whose message does not bring glory to God. While this has been done in an attempt to reach the world, this is not our mandate. When we lift up Jesus, He will draw others to Himself.

These songs may take people to a place in time in their minds when they had a stuggle with sin in a particular area. Funky baselines of yesteryear often lead a congregation into dancing that is reminiscent of the parties and clubs that they once visited. The body naturally responds to music with movement. We will often find ourselves singing familar songs before we realize it. In the ministry of movement, let us always take care to lead others to Christ.

3 John 1:11 (NKJV)
"Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God."

Psalm 149:1 (NKJV)
"Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints."

Mu-sick

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17- NKJV)

The message in the music is important. If there are any distortions in the message, then our mission becomes compromised. We must make every effort to let those with ears hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the church.

There are times when the CD track is dirty or scratched. It seems as though it is right at the "powerful" part of the song that the CD will dysfunction and attempt to destroy the atmosphere. Yes, you can keep dancing, but it is still a derailment nevertheless. DISTRACTION! When using iPods and the song may be two tracks long, the pause in the middle of the two sections is noticeable and sometimes causes a delay in the music. DISTRACTION! When the music is not loud enough to hear the words, it is much harder to press through the piece. DISTRACTION!

When using a CD, it would be good to keep a clean copy of the track that is not used for rehearsals as well. If you know a good DJ or musician, you can have the two separate trackes linked together and then uploaded as one track onto your iPod (I have tried it and it works). Whenever possible, try to do a sound check at the location to ensure that the volume is sufficient. Remember- Musick that is too loud is also a DISTRACTION!

Matthew 13:16 (NKJV)
"But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear"

Repeat After Me...

At one time or another in our dance ministry journey, we may have selected songs that made us feel good. These songs were inspirational, uplifting, and had us feeling good about ourselves. As we study the Bible and learn more about rightly dividing the Word, we then begin to realize that all songs used for ministry MUST line up with the Word of God.

A few popular songs come to mind. Kirk Franklin's "More Than I Can Bear," states that "He'll never put more on me than I can bear." The Word does not actually say this (I know your Pastor/Bishop/Prophet may have said this several times over the pulpit, but it's not in there). The Bible actually says, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (I Corinthians 10:13) I do not see where is says that God will "put" any of this on us. He causes all things to work together for good.

I have also seen R. Kelly's (yes) "I Believe I Can Fly" danced in the sanctuary. We know that, "..they shall mount up with wings as eagles..." but this song was written for a basketball movie starring Michael Jordan. It is about the idea of flying through the air before making a slam dunk. Many of us have heard Vickie Winans sing "Long As I Got King Jesus (I Don't Need Nobody Else)." In Genesis 2:18 "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Yes, we definitely need Jesus, but Jesus came here for mankind, not for Himself.

OK... From now on, we will listen closely to see if each song that we dance to is in harmony the Word of God... and also examine who the song is magnifying (us or God). Do not be afraid to step away from anything you find is lacking the true Word of God.