Download this article for future reference: Incorporating Scripture (Word)

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This article will focus on blending scripture reading with worship songs sung in a service. I want to begin by giving kudos to Stephen Court and Danielle Strickland, who first turned me on to the fact that the passage in Ephesians 6:17, which translates into English as “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;” refers more to a spoken word, than a written one. The word translated “Word” in the passage is the Greek word “rhema”, which literally means “utterance… especially narration, command or dispute”, according to Strong’s dictionary. When does the Word (logos) of God become a sword, “penetrating even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”? When it is uttered! Elsewhere Paul writes that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word (rhema) of Christ” (Romans 10:17). There is power in speaking scripture, out loud!

Many times our congregation is singing scripture, without realizing it. Tying a spoken connecting scripture passage to a song based on that scripture is an easy way for a congregation to understand that what they are singing comes from the very Word of God. It is a stunning revelation when worshippers realize that in singing songs they love and already know, they have actually “hidden the Word of God in their heart”, without realizing it!

Here are various methods of doing just that. All are tested, and make a powerful impact on a congregation.

1. Without stopping the flow of music, have someone read a short passage of scripture, either in between a couple of verses of a song, or between two songs. For example, in 2004 Len and Heather Ballantine and myself were participating in worship services at Cariboo Hill Temple in Vancouver. Len had me recite the passage from Isaiah 6:1-8 while he softly played piano in the background. As soon as I finished, he began to sing Chris Falson’s wonderful song “I see the Lord seated on the throne, exalted…” as Heather performed an interpretive dance to the music. The scripture made a fresh impact on the congregation even though it was one that many members had read often before. As a footnote to the music-makers: During the scripture reading, there is no need to play an actual melody while it is being read. Playing a familiar melody may actually be a distraction to the congregation, as the brain often begins to process the words associated with the melody rather than focus on the scripture being read! A better option is to play a two or three chord sequence, in the style of the song previously played, or the one to come, with no melody being heard. If the worship song was in a major key, I find the chords I-IV, repeated as long as the duration of the scripture, a calming background to underscore the text. Play each chord for one or two bars before going on to the next.

2. If the scripture text is placed onto a PowerPoint screen, into a bulletin insert, then the congregation can read the passage in unison, in between verses, or between songs (again, the music should not stop while this is happening). A simple heading “Read together” at the top of the PowerPoint screen, and the worship leader simply saying “read with me”, is enough instruction for the congregation to understand what they are supposed to do. For instance, singing the chorus “Create in me a clean heart” could be followed by a corporate confession, with the congregation reciting portions of Psalm 51 as their guide. Always make sure the scripture reference is printed at the bottom of the screen, so the congregation realizes they are actually reciting scripture.

3. Also effective is to have two readers alternate back and forth between the verses of a passage (always make sure there is background music to accompany them). Psalm 42 is an example where the passage is more effective with two voices alternating than with one alone. Try using this passage between the second chorus and third verse of “As the Deer”. There is no need to recite the whole psalm, just choose selected verses. To make a bigger impact, have the readers overlap. By this I mean that one reader has not quite finished reading his verse when the next reader starts reading his. There should be an urgency in the way they read: David here in this Psalm is imploring to God during a serious crisis. By doing this the congregation will begin to own the scripture for themselves, and pray along with the readers. As an added guideline, don’t disrupt the spirit of the piece by having the readers come to the microphone to read. Unless the readers are already in place at microphones at the beginning of the song, choose readers with loud voices who can read from where they are standing. And to be even more professional, the readers should have rehearsed in advanced, and have the passage loosely memorized.

4. Scripture quoted does not need to be from the same passage. Recently I used the two reader method, as above, but I wanted the readers to be “the voice of the Lord” speaking words of comfort over His people. Although the reading (see page 4) is derived mostly from Isaiah 43, you will see other verses from other passages of Isaiah, Matthew, the Psalms and Hebrews interwoven throughout. This type of reading could be used in conjunction with the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” (if sung worshipfully), or with a piece such as Brian Doerksen’s “Faithful One”. It is guaranteed that members of your congregation who are struggling with life issues will find comfort from the words of God spoken in this reading.

5. Scripture does not have to be spoken in unison in order to have effect. I recently used portions of Psalm 51 (see end of article for text), following a slow version of “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood”. Prior to the service, I spoke with several mature Christians in our congregation, as well as members of the worship team, to help them understand that when the psalm appeared on PowerPoint, they were to begin to pray it, out loud, at their own pace. Worship team members were specifically given instructions to start the psalm one at a time, each member beginning the psalm as the previous member came to a certain line later on in the psalm. When the time came to pray, I gave some brief instructions to the congregation, and the instruction “read out loud, at random” appeared at the top of the PowerPoint. The result was a bubble of sound that is akin to what must be heard as Jews say their prayers at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. And phrases such as “Create in me a clean heart” and “Have mercy on me” seemed to jump out over and over again in a wash of sound. It became quite a unique and emotional worship experience.

6. If you have a confident singer who is comfortable with contemporary music, and comfortable picking out melodies by ear, a time of free-flowing scripture singing can be orchestrated. The effect of this is a little like the traditional sung chant in a Catholic service, except that the melodies are less of a chant and more of musical phrases. To set this up, the worship band needs to be playing a two or three chord sequence, as mentioned in item one above. The chords are usually based on a sequence found in the song just prior to the scripture singing. The text being sung can be written out in advance, as a guideline, and it may come from one passage of scripture, or several. The scripture here should be in a form of a prayer, or an encouragement for the congregation. Psalm 121 is an example of a workable scripture that can be sung. For instance, if it followed the singing of Brian Doerksen’s “I Lift My Eyes Up”, the singer could then sing a more free-flowing version of the scripture, such as the lines, “I lift my eyes up to You, O God, for my help comes from You, and You alone, my Maker and Creator of the earth…You will not let me stumble, for You watch over me…You never tire or grow weary…You protect my life, and will guard over me forever…I praise You O God, my Rock and my Redeemer…” From there the singer can move into a song that is familiar to the congregation, one that they would all know, such as “Be Still for the Presence”.

7. If you are blessed to have several singers who are capable of singing scripture as mentioned above, there is no need for only one singer to sing at a time, but several singers can sing (staggering the start times). The singers do not need to sing the same passage but it should be along the same theme. The congregation can be encouraged to pray out loud, too, whether in a spoken voice, or singing phrases ad lib. Guide phrases can be placed on a PowerPoint screen to help them out. This idea of singing scripture might be very new to a lot of corps and worship teams. In rehearsal, encourage a safe environment where the team can practice listening to each other and singing phrases. Encourage them to sing prayers to God - there is no right or wrong, but it should be a time of personal worship where team members enjoy the sound of the music, and offer their voices as a gift to Him. The sung phrases do not need to contain a lot of notes - if a member feels more comfortable picking one note in the chord and sticking to that, it will sound lovely, combined with other members who are on different notes. I would encourage you to explore this amazing venue of worship. You will find that the team will be stretched spiritually and God will minister to them in the process of stepping out of their normal comfort zone.

You will find that, if done sensitively, there will be a rise and fall to the musical background as well as the scripture reading. After a worship song is sung, the musicians will carry on to play without stopping, going into the two or three chord sequence that has been pre-assigned. They will begin at the volume level that the piece finished at, and grow in volume as the spoken or sung scripture grows, but always making sure they are a level below the voices so that the words of the scripture can still be heard. As the scripture finishes the music will quiet down, and depending on the spiritual atmosphere of the room, it may quiet to absolute silence before beginning the next piece.

I encourage you to gradually incorporate some of these methods of using scripture during worship. You will find that it will enhance the message of the lyrics of the songs being sung. It is a way of offering respite between verses of hymns while underscoring the hymn’s message. It definitely adds interest to the worship, and is a means of bringing scripture to life for the participating congregation.

Scriptures of Comfort
(Excerpts from Isaiah 43 & others)

Have two readers (preferably male) alternate the lines below. They need to speak clearly and project well, to be heard over background music (this works best recited between two worship songs in order to connect them, or in between verses of a hymn). The theme of the songs should speak of God’s faithfulness to us in times of difficulty. The readers should not wait for the other to finish before beginning the next line.

Fear not, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called you by name. You are mine…

When you pass through the river, I will be with you…

If you go to the depths, I am already there…

The waters will not sweep over you…

If you walk through the valley of the shadow, I am right beside you…

If you walk through fire, you will not be burned…

For I am the Lord your Saviour…

Your strength in time of trouble…

A rock and a fortress, an ever-present help in time of need…

I will never leave you or forsake you…

Your walls are ever before me…

Your name is engraved on my palm…

I am with you, always, even to the end of time…

Excerpts from Psalm 51 (The Confession Psalm)

This is most effective when not read in unison, but when congregation members read it aloud, at their own pace, and in their own time. Rehearse this in advance with platform personnel (band, songsters, worship team) and key congregation members so they know to stagger the reading, and read at their own pace. Their should be soft background music during this time, with no discernable melody. Have the congregation pray this prayer following a slow worship song whose theme is confession (such as “Refiner’s Fire” or the hymn “Nothing But Thy Blood”). The result will be a wash of sound with phrases of “have mercy”, “wash”, “cleanse” rising above the noise to contribute to an emotional prayer experience. Let the prayers (and music) die down to silence, and then have the congregation sing acapella the chorus of “Refiner’s Fire”, or a slow version of “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood.” The service could then end with a song of victory for sins forgiven, such as a more upbeat version of “There is a Fountain”, or Paul Oakley’s contemporary piece “Jesus, Friend of Sinners.” The Psalm can be placed into PowerPoint, or enclosed as a bulletin insert.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love.
According to Your great compassion blot out my
transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me...

Have mercy on me, O God!...

Against You and You only, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in Your sight.
You do not delight in sacrifice,
or I would bring it.
You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings,
For the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
A broken and contrite heart, O God,
You will not despise…

For I was born a sinner,
from the moment I was conceived…
But You desire honesty from the heart,
so you can teach me to be wise from my inmost being…
So cleanse me, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Renew a right spirit within me,
And make me willing to obey You.

In creating your own scripture readings, do not be afraid to use contemporary versions of scripture, or paraphrase scripture, as long as it does not distort the intent of the passage. Using word searches can help you connect various scripture verses thematically. The website www.biblegateway.com is ideal for this, as you can copy and paste scripture directly into Word or PowerPoint to be printed off.