09WK15- UNDERSTANDING CANTICLES

UNDERSTANDING CANTICLES

KEY VERSE: Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord EPHESLIANS 5:19

SCRIPTURE LESSON: EPHESIANS 5:18-20
18 do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION
The above passage in Ephesians exhorts us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” This immediately tells you that the church’s worship is enriched by variety of music. We need to recognize the importance of singing or church music in worship as it deepens our participation in worship. St Augustine explains that whoever sings prays twice.

Methodism, as part of its music tradition, has inherited and kept canticles as part of its worship services. This tradition is noticeably dying out gradually. In this lesson, we shall attempt to explain the meaning of canticles and its usage, and explore why canticles are not more popularly sang today and offer suggestions as to how the singing of canticles can be revived.

EXPOSITION
1. What is the meaning of Canticles?
A canticle is strictly a hymn taken directly from the Bible but this does not always include the Psalms which form another category of songs used in worship. The term however is often expanded to include ancient non-Biblical hymns such as the Te Deum and certain psalms used liturgically.

2. The Usage of Canticles
Christians inherited their usage of the Psalms as canticles from the Jewish tradition of singing the Psalms. The Psalms became the service book of Christian worship for the Early Church. From the ‘Book of Common Prayer,’ we gather that the Church of England (the Anglican Church) makes extensive use of canticles and this was inherited by the Methodists. The following are the popular canticles that have been sung by the Church over the years.

i. Venite (Psalm 95)
The title is a Latin word derived from the first verse and theme of the Psalm, inviting us to come and join in the praise of the Lord. The first part of the psalm extols the greatness of God in creation and his providence. The second part of the psalm deals with the mighty acts of salvation of our God which He demonstrated by delivering Israel from Egypt.

ii. Te Deum (Non-Biblical)
The title is a Latin statement which is derived from the theme of the canticle saying, “We Praise Thee O Lord.” It is a canticle of praise like the Venite. The canticle praises God as Father and Holy spirit in the first part, God as Son in the second part and brings before him the corporate prayers of his people in the third.
iii. Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79)
The title is a Latin word, which means blessings. A related English word is “benediction.” It is a prophecy given by John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah when his son was born. The song speaks of the coming of the Messiah to save his people and also about what his son was going to do as a forerunner of the Messiah. The singing of this song should remind us of God’s faithfulness to his people and to us. It should remind us of the mercy of God to his people and to Zechariah after his long wait for a child.

iv. Jubilate Deo (Psalm 100)
The title of this psalm is a statement in Latin meaning that the Psalm is for, “Rejoicing in the Lord.” The word “Jubilation” is derived from the Latin “Jubilation” and “Deo” is the Latin word for God. The Psalm invites us to: “Shout for joy to the Lord, Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” It goes on to say; “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
This is a great psalm of praise and rejoicing, which should be part of our praise during our worship services.

At Evening Prayer or Vespers the following are used:
7 The Magnificent (Luke 1:46-55)
8 Cantata Dimino (Psalm 98)
9 Nunc Dimmittis (Luke 2:29-32)
10 Dues Misereatur (Psalm 67)
The titles are all in Latin, reflecting their increased use when the dominant language in Christian churches was Latin. We have given this wide usage to explain the importance that is attached to the canticles in Christian worship.

3. The Message of the Canticles
a close study of the Canticles shows that the principal message is to extol the great and mighty work of God (e.g. the Benedictus – Luke 1:68-74). Also in the canticles great Christian truths are affirmed as in Psalm 8 (Canticle 18 in the Methodist Hymn Book (MHB). Personal confessions can also be derived in the canticles Psalm 51 (Canticle 35 in the MHB). The Canticles are also messages of affirmation of our relationship with God – Psalm 118 – (Canticle 56 of the MHB).

For posterity, the Methodist Church has chosen and preserved 78 canticles for usage in worship. Each of these may have their distinct message worth studying in detail. What we have given above is only representative. What is generally true through out all the canticles is that they are mostly man’s response to the saving acts of God, expressed in poetry. They can be used for personal devotion as well as for corporate worship.

4. How to choose and use the Canticles
As we have noted each canticle has a particular message. We need to be sure about the occasion or the particular Christian festival before choosing the canticles. For example Psalm 95 (Canticle 1 of the MHB) has always been sang as a praise song at the beginning of services; so also canticle 2. However we have a problem with a few others. Some help may be in place.

The Benedict (Canticle 3 of MHB), and Cantemus Cuncti (Canticle 4 of the MHB) may be sang during Annual Harvests. The Benedictus (Canticle 7 of the MHB) are to be used during Christmas festivities. A look at Canticle 27 of the MHB shows that it can be used during Intercessory prayers; and together with Canticle 56 for spiritual warfare prayers where we need to affirm God’s power to deliver. Canticle 72 is a perfect one for the Passion Week or Esther. The beauty of Canticles 70 and 71 makes them suitable for mission services as we prepare to engage the world for Jesus. Throughout the Christian year, and no matter the personal and corporate seasons of the community of faith, there can be a canticle for use. A wise search and meditation will bring out the most suitable.


What has happen to canticles and how can we redeem them?
Despite their value as aids in Christian worship, contemporary Christians (Methodists included), have ceased to make much use of the Canticles. From our research there are two basic reasons:
i. There is lack of teaching on the canticles and their value for worship.
ii. Current musical taste has shifted to the more ‘ less stressful ‘ singing of the popular ‘ one –liner ‘ choruses.
Most people we talked to also had problems with the language (diction) especially in the English and to some extent in the local language (usually Ga and Akan) because translators themselves were so literal in their translation that their phrases did not conform to the natural way of speaking.
If we are to redeem the canticles for usage, there are areas we need to address. Some new hymnals are beginning to address the language problem by providing modern English usage as alternatives. Again as music taste and style changes, these hymnals have responded by giving ways in which the canticles can be sang responsively. This can be exploited since we have a tradition of our lyrics ebibidwom as examples.
Noticing that the canticles are mostly psalms, there is an emerging tradition to have the psalms read in monologue or dialogue by the congregation in response to the Bible lesson. New contemporary tunes can be set to the canticles that are popularly known and sang. This will attract the young generation.

6. Conclusion
Canticles are an important aid to Christian worship. In their words, human express their deepest devotion to God and we can learn a lot from this as individuals and as a corporate body of Christ. With a conscious effort and dedication to musical renewal, we can redeem the canticles for more greater and purposeful use.

DISCUSSION QUESTION
a. Explain the word ‘ Canticle ‘ in your own words.
b. What value do the canticles have for Christians?
c. How useful are the following canticles to the Christians:
a. Exodus 15:1-19
b. Luke 1:68-79 (MHB Canticle 5)
c. Psalm 98 (MHB Canticle 8)
d. Read Psalm 23 (Canticle 25 of MHB), If you were:
(a). a driver (b). a farmer (c). a student, how would you re-word this psalm?
5a. Why do you think the canticles are dying out in our services?
e. Suggest ways in which we can redeem the canticles and sing them meaningful?

BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
This week meditate on the jubilate Deo (Canticle of the MHB). What lessons do you gather from this canticle? Come to your group prepared to share your thoughts.

DAILY BIBLE READING
Monday Psalm 95 Venite
Tuesday Luke 1:68-79 Benedictus
Wednesday Psalm 100 Jubilant Deo
Thursday Luke 1:46-55 Magnificat
Friday Psalm 67 Dus Misereatur
Saturday Luke 2:29-32 Nunc Dimittis

Jesus is risen!
Find a Canticle which you can sing all week, in addition to the
Jubilate Deo, to commemorate the wonderful fact of Christ’s
Resurrection.