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Do you remember this clip from Sesame Street? A little girl is sent to the store by her Mom to pick up three things: A loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter. All the way to the store she repeats these things to herself over and over so that she'll remember what she is supposed to buy.
As I was preparing to lead worship last weekend at my church, I was practicing "Forever" by Chris Tomlin. The bridge of this song is very simple.
His love endures forever.
(Sung 8 times)
I was impressed by the value of repetition in worship. There are many who criticize contemporary worship expressions for being too repetitive. I'm sure you've heard the term "7/11" in relation to contemporary worship. Contemporary worship songs are often criticized for singing the same seven words eleven times. I say if those seven words are worth remembering, you should sing them TWELVE TIMES!Here's the thing: We are forgetful people. I know that I am very forgetful. I could have the greatest prayer time and feel on top of the mountain in one minute and then completely lose my bouyancy when even the slightest trouble comes my way. Just like the girl in the video, we must repeat what we want to remember. The children of Israel were no stranger to this concept. Read below the text from Psalm 136:
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
16 to him who led his people through the desert,
His love endures forever.
17 who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel;
His love endures forever.
23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.
25 and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
26 times in this "song", we are reminded that "His love endures forever". Do you think that was an accident or do you think there's something we are supposed to remember here? Repetition is not limited to phrases. We sing the same songs multiple times to drive the truth home in our hearts. Do not fear or avoid repetition in worship. Just make sure you're repeating something worth remembering.
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