Catholicity of Hymns

Have you pondered the catholicity of the classic hymns of the Church? They transcend denominations and cultural styles. The Doxology based on old 100th by French composer Louis Bourgeois is sung in virtually every tradition around the globe. When pastors start churches, do they consider whether what they sing will die in one generation or will continue after they die? Will my children’s children continue to sing what I have sung for over 30 years and what has been sung 500 years prior? Or will their music be so diametrically different that musical disintegration is inevitable? Is our music sung/composed with particular age groups in mind or do they easily reach mom, dad, grandpa, grandma? Some of us may not have grown up in liturgical traditions where rich hymnody is explored, but know that once you are in one you will be learning to sing for generations to come. When you ask to sing Psalm 23 at your funeral, your children and their children will sing Zion’s songs fervently, willingly, and gratefully.

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