Spiritual Songs
by Dave Brown
The spiritual songs given below on this page are not intended to be for entertainment purposes. While we should enjoy making and hearing spiritual songs, their purpose is to glorify God and to communicate truth, and not to entertain. Consider the following passages:
Ephesians 5:18-21
And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.
Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms (and) hymns (and) spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Note the emphasis upon speaking, giving thanks, teaching and admonishing and communicating truth, and in both cases the specification of "singing." There is no scriptural command, example or inference, or any historical evidence that musical instruments had any part in the musical worship of the first century church. But more importantly: And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17).
We have heard many prejudicial (albeit, perhaps not intentionally so) statements made about local churches that do not use instruments of music. Please recognize that this should have nothing to do with a local group's: (1) dislike of instruments, (2) the fact that they believe the music "sounds better" without instruments, (3) a desire to have some obvious difference from other religious groups, (4) their belief that the use all instruments for any purpose is sinful per se, or anything else unrelated to scriptural authority. This is discussed in an excellent historical and scriptural review by Michael Bolton.
For other articles on the subject, please click here.
Please recognize that the above applies to the collective worship involving singing of the local church. We make no assertions about individuals listening to, nor the creation of music of any kind separate and apart from the collective church worship because the bible is totally silent on this subject. All are bound to both listen and to sing together in the local church, and we dare not go beyond what is written in that regard. Nevertheless, to avoid all conflicts with conscience the music that has been produced for this web site is presented without instrumental accompaniment of any kind.
Note: to download a file, left-click on the corresponding "Download File" line. The song will start to play. Right click on the screen then then left click "Save As." Download the file as you would any other to a predefined folder. Copy the files to an iTunes playlist and play them like you would an album on your iPhone or PC. Please let us know if you have any problems at all (biblethought@att.net). I had particularly found such songs to be comforting to listen to in the long hours that I spent in the hospital.
Playing hints: very few laptop speakers can capture the depth and breadth of these songs since the different parts can only be heard effectively in stereo. However, earphones and ear pieces work extremely well, so we urge you to use them. Do not play the songs too loud, but adjust so that you can hear all of the parts. Try switching your earphones or earpieces ... it will surprise you how much different you hear the sounds when you do this. The songs were recorded with the main voice and the alto on the left, the tenor and the base on the right. The main voice and base are on the outside, the alto and tenor are in the center.
Most recently added (please try them first): (1) Is It for Me? (2) I Need Thee Every Hour (3) Beulah Land* (4) Where No One Stands Alone; (5) Abide With Me; (6) Gal. 2:20: Crucified with Christ; (7) Wonderful Grace of Jesus; (8) Heaven Came Down; (9) The Way That He Loves. Songs are in alphabetical order below.
*See note at bottom of this page about Beulah Land
Your Agreement: Clicking on any of the "Download File" buttons below is your tacit agreement to use the downloaded files strictly for personal and non-commercial purposes.
by Dave Brown
The spiritual songs given below on this page are not intended to be for entertainment purposes. While we should enjoy making and hearing spiritual songs, their purpose is to glorify God and to communicate truth, and not to entertain. Consider the following passages:
Ephesians 5:18-21
And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.
Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms (and) hymns (and) spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Note the emphasis upon speaking, giving thanks, teaching and admonishing and communicating truth, and in both cases the specification of "singing." There is no scriptural command, example or inference, or any historical evidence that musical instruments had any part in the musical worship of the first century church. But more importantly: And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17).
We have heard many prejudicial (albeit, perhaps not intentionally so) statements made about local churches that do not use instruments of music. Please recognize that this should have nothing to do with a local group's: (1) dislike of instruments, (2) the fact that they believe the music "sounds better" without instruments, (3) a desire to have some obvious difference from other religious groups, (4) their belief that the use all instruments for any purpose is sinful per se, or anything else unrelated to scriptural authority. This is discussed in an excellent historical and scriptural review by Michael Bolton.
For other articles on the subject, please click here.
Please recognize that the above applies to the collective worship involving singing of the local church. We make no assertions about individuals listening to, nor the creation of music of any kind separate and apart from the collective church worship because the bible is totally silent on this subject. All are bound to both listen and to sing together in the local church, and we dare not go beyond what is written in that regard. Nevertheless, to avoid all conflicts with conscience the music that has been produced for this web site is presented without instrumental accompaniment of any kind.
Note: to download a file, left-click on the corresponding "Download File" line. The song will start to play. Right click on the screen then then left click "Save As." Download the file as you would any other to a predefined folder. Copy the files to an iTunes playlist and play them like you would an album on your iPhone or PC. Please let us know if you have any problems at all (biblethought@att.net). I had particularly found such songs to be comforting to listen to in the long hours that I spent in the hospital.
Playing hints: very few laptop speakers can capture the depth and breadth of these songs since the different parts can only be heard effectively in stereo. However, earphones and ear pieces work extremely well, so we urge you to use them. Do not play the songs too loud, but adjust so that you can hear all of the parts. Try switching your earphones or earpieces ... it will surprise you how much different you hear the sounds when you do this. The songs were recorded with the main voice and the alto on the left, the tenor and the base on the right. The main voice and base are on the outside, the alto and tenor are in the center.
Most recently added (please try them first): (1) Is It for Me? (2) I Need Thee Every Hour (3) Beulah Land* (4) Where No One Stands Alone; (5) Abide With Me; (6) Gal. 2:20: Crucified with Christ; (7) Wonderful Grace of Jesus; (8) Heaven Came Down; (9) The Way That He Loves. Songs are in alphabetical order below.
*See note at bottom of this page about Beulah Land
Your Agreement: Clicking on any of the "Download File" buttons below is your tacit agreement to use the downloaded files strictly for personal and non-commercial purposes.
Abide With Me
| h30-abide-with-me.mp3 |
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
| h16-all-hail-the-power.mp3 |
Amazing Grace:
| h09-amazing_grace-03.mp3 |
Be Still My Soul:
| h05-be-still-my-soul-06.mp3 |
Beneath the Cross of Jesus:
| h07-beneath-the-cross-02.mp3 |
Beulah Land* (see note bottom of page):
| h32-buelah-land.mp3 |
Day by Day:
| h06-day-by-day.mp3 |
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind:
| h28-dear-lord-and-father.mp3 |
Fairest Lord Jesus:
| h27-fairest-lord-jesus-02.mp3 |
Galatians 2:20 -- I Have Been Crucified with Christ:
| gal_2-20-crucified-w-christ.mp3 |
Glorify Thy Name:
| h22-glorify-thy-name.mp3 |
Grace Greater than Our Sins:
| h19--grace-greater.mp3 |
Great Is Thy Faithfulness:
| h03-great-is-thy-faithfulness-02.mp3 |
Heaven Came Down:
| h21-heaven-came-down-02.mp3 |
Holy Holy Holy:
| h02-holy-holy-holy-02.mp3 |
How Great Thou Art:
| h01-how-great-thou-art-05.mp3 |
I Have Been Crucified with Christ -- see Galatians 2:20 above.
I know that My Redeemer Lives:
I know that My Redeemer Lives:
| h20-i-know-that-my-02.mp3 |
I Know Whom I Have Believed:
| h13-i-know-whom.mp3 |
I Need Thee Every Hour:
| h33-i-need-thee.mp3 |
In Heavenly Love Abiding:
| h15-in-heavenly-love-03.mp3 |
In His Time:
| h14-in-his-time-02.mp3 |
Is it For Me:
| h34-is-it-for-me.mp3 |
It is Well With My Soul:
| h23-it-is-well.mp3 |
Ivory Palaces:
| h18-ivory-palaces-04.mp3 |
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee:
| h26-joyful-joyful-we-adore.mp3 |
Let the Lower Lights be Burning:
| h11-let-the-lower-lights.mp3 |
On Zion's Glorious Summit:
| h04-on-zions-glorious-08.mp3 |
Psalms 19
| h17-psalms_19-02.mp3 |
The Way That He Loves:
| h25-the-way-that-he-loves.mp3 |
There is a Fountain:
| h12-there-is-a-fountain.mp3 |
There Is a Habitation:
| h10-there-is-a-hab-03.mp3 |
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross:
| h08-when-i-survey-02.mp3 |
Where No One Stands Alone:
| h31-where-no-one.mp3 |
Wonderful Grace of Jesus:
| h24-wonderful-grace.mp3 |
* Beulah Land. This is a special old song that might need some explanation. It is based on Isaiah 62:4, which is the only place in the bible where the word "Beulah" appears. The word literally means "already planted and producing" -- such as was the state of the promised land when the Children of Israel entered into it. Of course, Isaiah was speaking in a messianic way of something much more blessed than productive agricultural real estate. But please do not think that the main thrust of this song is about heaven. Some have misinterpreted that in the past and have even gone to the extent of changing some of the words to that effect. Please do not even consider that! Change them back! What a terrible thing to do to the author and composer, John R. Sweeny, who wrote this song in 1876. Our rendering of it is true to his words, and we think, true to the intent of the song. It is not talking about heaven -- for we must look, as he says "across the sea" to get a glimpse of heaven. No, he is talking about a land that we now reach -- "heaven's borderland." But what joy and blessedness exude from this song -- this is the joy right now of being a true follower of Jesus Christ. Yes, we have a great blessing just contemplating our eternal home in heaven. But do not waste the joy that can be in your life now by thinking that our joy must wait. Let this song enlighten you to the great truth of Philippians.4:4-7: "Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." For what more could we ask?