The Advantages of Black Gospel Music

Singing the Songs of Zion

There is nothing to compare with the Scripture itself when used in singing.  But often Western musical idioms require substantial altering and editing of the text to fit the words of Scripture to music.  One extreme response has been "Scripture in Song" which, while employing scriptural phrases--usually out of context--it uses both the Scripture and music in an infantile manner. 

The Black Gospel musical idiom, however, has no such limitations.  It can far more readily be employed to sing whole portions of God's Word--especially the Psalms.  Here is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing Psalm 121 using the King James version.  (The choir consists mainly of non-vocally trained members.)




Psalm 121

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.