Throwback Thursday: On Funeral Hymns
Note: This post was originally published on June 3, 2021. ~ Ed.
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 (ESV)
O preacher, you have been called to teach your people knowledge even in the hour of death. The funeral is not a time for the sheep to be put in charge of themselves and be led by their sentiments. It is not a time for the preacher to lay aside his responsibilities for his flock. Do you ask the sheep to choose the liturgy, select hymns, read the Scriptures, and lead the prayers on Sunday? Are you not to supply them with words of delight and truth? The service is to be presided over by the shepherd for the sake of the sheep, not a musician or the family.
Why have we fallen into the horrendous notion that a grieving family, the sheep or in some cases unbelievers, and even wolves, should have anything to do with selecting the hymns for the funeral service?