A week and a half ago I posted on some of the spontaneous songs I sang at the New Attitude conference. Aaron left this comment on another post about New Attitude:

Regarding the spontaneous song(s) - could you comment or perhaps designate a separate post explaining the “prophetic song”. I thought the song was a sweet ministry to those under affliction & I thought you set it up well & carefully. However, those of us coming from a cessationist view would be interested in hearing you talk about this in more detail.

I wrote about this in my book, Worship Matters, because it’s a gift I’ve been studying or exercising for about twenty years. This is what I wrote there:

For many years I’ve sung spontaneous songs during corporate worship that I believe are a form of prophecy. They’re similar to a spoken prophetic impression from the Lord, only they’re sung, they rhyme, and they are often sung “from God to us.” I’ve never believed for a moment that the words I sing are “word for word” from God. That’s called Scripture. But these songs seem to consistently communicate in verse the Lord’s heart for a particular individual, group, or situation.

[Footnote: When I first started singing spontaneous songs, I wrestled with the biblical basis for the gift. I learned that prophesying in the Old Testament often had musical accompaniment ( 1 Chronicles 25:11 Chronicles 25:1 [25:1]David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

; 1 Samuel 10:51 Samuel 10:5 [5]After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

; 2 Kings 3:142 Kings 3:14 [14]And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

–16). Ephesians 5:18Ephesians 5:18 [18]And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

–19 connects being filled with the Spirit with singing. And the effects of prophecy listed in 1 Corinthians 14:31 Corinthians 14:3 [3]On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

—building up, “encouragement,” and “consolation”—were frequently the effect of this gift. So I told the Lord that if I felt I was to sing a song in a particular meeting, I would do it and let him take care of the results. I would focus on being prepared, humble, and faithful. Since that time I’ve seen God use spontaneous songs on countless occasions to encourage and speak to groups as well as individuals—including single mothers, those in the midst of suffering, young men, widows, and adopted children.]

The effect over the years has been an increased awareness of God’s care for his people. Early on I was nagged by questions that kept me from stepping out in this gift. What if I get to the middle of a line and blank out? What if people think I’m trying to draw attention to myself? What if no one is affected? Eventually I realized that my questions would keep me from ever responding to what I thought were the Spirit’s promptings. Since I decided to simply be faithful, God has given me hundreds of songs to encourage his people.

Seems to me that Christians often exaggerate or underestimate the verbal supernatural gifts. On the one hand, people can heighten their significance and/or authority, like the Corinthians did, and think that “worship” doesn’t happen unless we sing improvised songs at some point during the meeting. When it comes to prophetic songs, this perspective can lead to extended times repeating the same phrases over and over, or simply trying to be spiritually “innovative.” Other Christians find it hard to believe that the Spirit can give us impressions that we should communicate with others that could be a means of encouragement to them.

One person remarked that my spontaneous songs were more “poetic” than “prophetic.” I think it was meant as a critique, but there’s an element of truth in that. It’s like many of the spiritual gifts. God takes our natural talents (which are gifts in the first place) and empowers them by his Spirit. I’ve been writing songs for over 40 years. During that time you get a sense for what words will rhyme, and it’s not that difficult to improvise lyrics and tunes on the spot. What I can’t explain is the timing of many of these songs, why an idea for a song comes in one meeting and not another, and how people often become more aware of God’s perspective, truth, and presence. And of course, there are also times I sing words that apply in particular ways to a person’s situation that I would have no way of knowing about. In those cases I trust that God’s Spirit is reminding someone of the Father’s intimate knowledge of their situation.

Another individual asked if I should call them “improvised” songs. There’s certainly an element of improvisation to most of the songs, as I’m making them up on the spot. The spontaneous aspect has to do with the way the idea comes suddenly. But I’ve also written down prophetic songs in advance if I thought that God wanted to speak to a particular group in a meeting I was about to lead.

Prophetic, or spontaneous, or improvised, songs don’t have to be from the perspective of God to us, either. I’ve been in numerous meetings where a song or chorus was composed on the spot which the congregation learned and then sang with great faith and passion to the Lord. In fact, some of the songs I’ve written (You Have Been Given; You are Lord; Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed) began that way.

Don’t misunderstand me. You don’t have to sing spontaneous songs to be used by God. God’s Spirit is at work in a variety of ways. He might suddenly bring a thought or Scripture to mind that affects the direction of the meeting. You might be led to pause and lead in prayer for a particular category or need. We want to be listening in the midst of leading, “leaning forward” to hear what the Spirit might be directing us to do as we care for God’s people.

I should add that in no way do these impressions replace, supersede, or minimize God’s unchanging revelation in Scripture. Our hope, trust, and authority is in God’s Word, not the next experience we have. But Scripture tells us that God’s Spirit will continue to comfort, encourage, challenge, and convict through the gift of prophecy ( 1 Cor. 14:1-31 Corinthians 14:1-3 [14:1]Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. [2]For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. [3]On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. (ESV)

If you lead corporate worship, my hope is that you believe the Holy Spirit can work not only through what you’ve planned, but also through leadings and impressions that occur during the meeting. Without being dependent on them or exaggerating their importance, they’re one more way God can demonstrate the overflow of his love which was most clearly demonstrated in the substitutionary death of the Savior at Calvary.

I’m sure that for some readers, this post has raised more questions than it’s answered. Here are a few of the books that I’ve found helpful in studying prophecy and the spiritual gifts in general:

Showing the Spirit - D.A. Carson
The Gift of Prophecy - Wayne Grudem
God’s Empowering Presence - Gordon Fee
The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts - Max Turner
A Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts - Sam Storms

Hope this is helpful. Let me know.

12 Comments »

1. Bob,

   As always, great thoughts and teaching! I myself am not a cessationist, but have come from pretty formal background (LCMS - well, sort of…I’m more of a mix of denominational background) and am just starting to open my eyes to how the Spirit works.

   Interestingly enough, the denomination I’m in now, the Association of Free Lutheran Churches (aflc.org) actually has a mixed stance about Spiritual gifts throughout each different, individual church, but the theme verse for the association is 2 Corinthians 3:172 Corinthians 3:17
   [17]Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of
   the Lord is, there is freedom. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   , “Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

   We mainly use that verse to teach that each congregation is free and living, governed by its own local body rather than a ’synod,’ but I find it humorous that a lot of our churches are nervous and/or undertaught about the power of the Holy Spirit, especially considering what the theme verse is!

   Comment by Ryan — June 11, 2008 @ 2:09 pm

2. Bob:

   Thanks so very much for this entry. I appreciate your ministry so much. Coming from a reformed, cessationist theological tradition, I readily confess that I’m still thinking through a lot of what you’ve written. But to my own discredit, it’s far easier for me to analyze my theological grid on definitions and categories and so much more difficult for me to “focus on being prepared, humble and faithful.”

   I’m a jazz guy, so I get the improvisational angle on what you’re describing. But I also confess I fell like I’m only beginning to learn more of the Spirit’s role in worship leadership, and desire to grow more in my own personal life and worship leadership in that regard.

   As always, I greatly appreciate the warmth, honesty and humility that regularly pervades your insight and wisdom. Reminds me of Newton, another brother who encourages and convicts me regularly.

   Blessings,

   Tim

   Comment by Tim Wat — June 11, 2008 @ 3:00 pm

3. Bob - first a question:

   You write: ” … I’ve also written down prophetic songs in advance …” If you write it down, does that take away the element of the “immediate” which Grudem and others use in defining the NT gift of prophecy? BTW, I have been blessed by your prophetic songs, both in hearing them live and via mp3.

   Second, reading your blog and watching the recently posted interview you did with Tim Smith at Resurgence increases my anticipation for WG08! We have 8 people from our church registered and eager to attend.

   Third, thanks for your book recommendations on Psalms. I’ve been using a couple in preparation for WG08.

   Tim Wat - I met you when you ministered at a church that a friend attended. I think you have a review on Amazon for Peterson’s Engaging God (a book Bob recommends highly). Tim, if you are in the TriValley area and would like to fellowship over a cup of Starbucks or Peets, I’d welcome the chance. Or if you are attending WG08 it would be great to see you there.

   Grace and Peace to all!
   -tim
   Wellspring Church, San Leandro, CA

   Comment by Tim Kurtz — June 12, 2008 @ 7:18 pm

4. Tim,

   Thanks for stopping by. I think there’s still an element of the prophetic when a song comes in advance, if the idea for the song comes spontaneously. That is, the “immediate” applies to when the impression first comes. But typically the songs are written on the spot.

   Look forward to meeting you at WorshipGod08.

   Comment by Bob Kauflin — June 12, 2008 @ 11:19 pm

5. Bob -

   Thanks for your quick and helpful response.

   Comment by Tim Kurtz — June 13, 2008 @ 1:34 am

6. Tim Kurtz - I’ll try to contact you via your church’s website. Would love to sit down and get (re) acquainted!

   Blessings,

   Tim

   Comment by Tim Wat — June 13, 2008 @ 2:10 am

7. Hi Bob –

   I too have been moving in prophetic song for many years. I’ve gotten to see it work in many ways.

   Sometimes I have had God give me a prophetic song in advance of a series of meetings — something that is immediate to the event I’m participating in — and I use the song for those few days, and never again.

   I see this as a fulfillment of I Corinthians 14:261 Corinthians 14:26
   [26]What then, brothers? When you come together, each
   one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an
   interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
   (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   — “Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation…” This is the kind of psalm David had, the kind that flows prophetically. Or to put it another way, it is a revelation in song.

   On one occasion, I heard a new song in a dream — a classic biblical manner of prophetic inspiration. The song was in a style I could not play; a young man patiently spent about an hour with me, going over the song again and again. (I don’t know if this really took an hour or if I simply dreamed that it did.) The words were from Jeremiah 29Jeremiah 29
   [29:1]These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah
   the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of
   the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the
   people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from
   Jerusalem to Babylon. [2]This was after King Jeconiah and
   the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and
   Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had
   departed from Jerusalem. [3]The letter was sent by the hand
   of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of
   Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to
   Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: [4]"Thus says the
   LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I
   have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: [5]Build
   houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their
   produce. [6]Take wives and have sons and daughters; take
   wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage,
   that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and
   do not decrease. [7]But seek the welfare of the city where
   I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its
   behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
   [8]For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do
   not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you
   deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they
   dream, [9]for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you
   in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD.
   [10]"For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are
   completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill
   to you my promise and bring you back to this place. [11]For
   I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans
   for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a
   hope. [12]Then you will call upon me and come and pray to
   me, and I will hear you. [13]You will seek me and find me,
   when you seek me with all your heart. [14]I will be found
   by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes
   and gather you from all the nations and all the places
   where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will
   bring you back to the place from which I sent you into
   exile.
   [15]"Because you have said, 'The LORD has raised up
   prophets for us in Babylon,' [16]thus says the LORD
   concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and
   concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your
   kinsmen who did not go out with you into exile: [17]'Thus
   says the LORD of hosts, behold, I am sending on them sword,
   famine, and pestilence, and I will make them like vile figs
   that are so rotten they cannot be eaten. [18]I will pursue
   them with sword, famine, and pestilence, and will make them
   a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, a
   terror, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations
   where I have driven them, [19]because they did not pay
   attention to my words, declares the LORD, that I
   persistently sent to you by my servants the prophets, but
   you would not listen, declares the LORD.' [20]Hear the word
   of the LORD, all you exiles whom I sent away from Jerusalem
   to Babylon: [21]'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of
   Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the
   son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying a lie to you in my
   name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of
   Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall strike them
   down before your eyes. [22]Because of them this curse shall
   be used by all the exiles from Judah in Babylon: "The LORD
   make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon
   roasted in the fire," [23]because they have done an
   outrageous thing in Israel, they have committed adultery
   with their neighbors' wives, and they have spoken in my
   name lying words that I did not command them. I am the one
   who knows, and I am witness, declares the LORD.'"
   [24]To Shemaiah of Nehelam you shall say: [25]"Thus says
   the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You have sent letters
   in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to
   Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the
   priests, saying, [26]'The LORD has made you priest instead
   of Jehoiada the priest, to have charge in the house of the
   LORD over every madman who prophesies, to put him in the
   stocks and neck irons. [27]Now why have you not rebuked
   Jeremiah of Anathoth who is prophesying to you? [28]For he
   has sent to us in Babylon, saying, "Your exile will be
   long; build houses and live in them, and plant gardens and
   eat their produce."'"
   [29]Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing
   of Jeremiah the prophet. [30]Then the word of the LORD came
   to Jeremiah: [31]"Send to all the exiles, saying, 'Thus
   says the LORD concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because
   Shemaiah had prophesied to you when I did not send him, and
   has made you trust in a lie, [32]therefore thus says the
   LORD: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his
   descendants. He shall not have anyone living among this
   people, and he shall not see the good that I will do to my
   people, declares the LORD, for he has spoken rebellion
   against the LORD.'" (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   , straight out of scripture.

   I woke up, remembered the song, and sat at the keyboard, where it took me about an hour to learn it.

   We can split hairs about the usage of the word “prophetic”, but Hebrews 2:12Hebrews 2:12
   [12]saying,
   "I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will sing your
   praise."

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   makes it clear that Jesus will come into the church and sing praise to the Father. I believe this is meant to happen through us — and that because Jesus, who is God, sings through us, the song is necessarily prophetic.

   In other words, there is more to “Christ in you” than we have realized!

   Comment by Stan Smith — June 13, 2008 @ 6:03 am

8. Stan,

   Thanks for stopping by. Wanted to comment on your reference to Heb. 2:12Hebrews 2:12
   [12]saying,
   "I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will sing your
   praise."

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   . Seems as though the primary purpose of that passage in context is not to support prophetic song, but to highlight the fact that Jesus, in his incarnation, is both God and man.

   It’s important for us to strive for biblical faithfulness in this area because the prophetic gift is so subject to misinterpretation and abuse. I’ve seen too many times where we start with Scripture, but then start reading our experiences back into the Word. I think there’s support for prophetic song in Scripture. I just wouldn’t go to Heb. 2Hebrews 2
   [2:1]Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what
   we have heard, lest we drift away from it. [2]For since the
   message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every
   transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
   [3]how shall we escape if we neglect such a great
   salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was
   attested to us by those who heard, [4]while God also bore
   witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by
   gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
   [5]Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world
   to come, of which we are speaking. [6]It has been testified
   somewhere,
   "What is man, that you are mindful of him,
   or the son of man, that you care for him?
   [7]You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
   you have crowned him with glory and honor,
   [8]putting everything in subjection under his feet."
   Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left
   nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see
   everything in subjection to him. [9]But we see him who for
   a little while was made lower than the angels, namely
   Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the
   suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might
   taste death for everyone.
   [10]For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all
   things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make
   the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
   [11]For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all
   have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them
   brothers, [12]saying,
   "I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will sing your
   praise."
   [13]And again,
   "I will put my trust in him."
   And again,
   "Behold, I and the children God has given me."
   [14]Since therefore the children share in flesh and
   blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that
   through death he might destroy the one who has the power of
   death, that is, the devil, [15]and deliver all those who
   through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
   [16]For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps
   the offspring of Abraham. [17]Therefore he had to be made
   like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become
   a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God,
   to make propitiation for the sins of the people. [18]For
   because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to
   help those who are being tempted. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   to find it.

   I pray God continues to use you for the Savior’s glory.

   Comment by Bob Kauflin — June 13, 2008 @ 7:21 am

9. Bob, thanks so much for your thoughts and teachings on this matter. I have struggled a bit with the tension between cessationist and continuationist camps. It is good to hear a well reasoned and scripturally supported viewpoint on prophetic singing.

   I wonder - how do you understand the continuum of corporate worship as it relates to prophesy, preaching, song and prayer? Are they all integrated, is there some distinctiveness of each?

   I ask, because we, the “enlightened”, “modern” church, seem to try and categorize/segregate these elements when I am not sure that they are so easily uncoupled.

   Some are horrified to even consider the integration of these elements, considering it chaotic or confusing to the body. I am not so certain and would appreciate your insight.

   Comment by JD Longmire — June 16, 2008 @ 8:13 am

10. Thank you for addressing this Bob. I’ve started reading your book, but haven’t got to the prophetic singing section yet. It and this article (and your book recommendations) will give me much to think about.

    Comment by Aaron Wilson — June 16, 2008 @ 2:45 pm

11. Bob,
    Am I understanding right that those two songs you sang at NA were made up on the spot? I was at Na conference.

    Although the first song didn’t mean as much to me, which is no big deal, I can tell you that I was touched by the one you sang about the chronic pain. I know for a fact the person sitting next to me was very deeply touched by it as she has suffered from it more than I. Unfortunately the download link doesn’t seem to be working. Maybe there’s another way to get it?

    Either way I think you hit the nail with this post.
    Jesse

    Comment by Jesse S — June 26, 2008 @ 11:10 am

12. Jesse,

    Thanks for your comments and encouragement. Yes, those were made up on the spot.

    I have someone checking on the broken links. Not sure what happened.

    Comment by Bob Kauflin — June 26, 2008 @ 12:10 pm

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