1 Chronicles 15: 16 David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
As a musician and songwriter it’s natural to me to be passionate about the affects of music on the body. In fact, I’ve always resorted to my piano in times of distress and also when I’ve had good things happen in my life. Making music and singing are my outlets just like running and drinking are some people’s choice of release.
I think that’s why when I read this scripture passage, for a moment I got excited. David was also a musician and songwriter. He was hired to play for King Saul even. He was known to have had a fantastic singing voice. Here’s a man who became a king himself and understood culture. He understood that the heart and soul of people is evident in their music and that music itself is the best way of uniting people into a common place of understanding.
In this particular passage, of course, King David is bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and he commands his priests to “raise sounds of joy” upon its entrance into the city. In other words, he’s asking his priests to be his cheerleaders to rally the people into excitement for the coming of the Ark into their town. That’s how powerful music is: it cuts to your core. Listening to a person’s playlist can tell you a lot about a person because of that intimacy music has with the body. Even animals feel its effects!
I often wonder then if the majority of liturgical musicians think about their “playlists” for Mass in these terms. Do they understand what David knew about music? Are they thinking of it this way? Do they know how to rally the people? My answer is no from what I’ve heard across the board, but as a Christian, I must give people the benefit of the doubt for I know in their hearts, they’re doing their best. That’s not the problem; the problem is their best is not oriented towards a new evangelization.
You see, David knew that not everyone in Jerusalem believed. That would be absurd! He also knew that being a believer doesn’t make you perfect, that even the believers need coaching. As liturgical musicians we must apply this same idea at the Mass—every single person there has a different level of faith and every level of faith needs nurturing and special care.
So as a liturgical musician, I have to ask myself, “does the music I play for Mass challenge the congregation?” Is it really speaking to them and getting to them? Do the words simply make them feel good or are the words truly empowering and thought provoking? Are they worthy of the Mass?
What a privilege it is to provide music at Mass just like it was a privilege for the Levite priests to provide music for the Ark.