“The aim and final reason of all music should be none else but the glory of God and refreshing the soul. Where this is not observed there will be no music, but only a devilish hubbub.”
Quote Analysis
This quote by Johann Sebastian Bach emphasizes the belief that music should serve a higher purpose beyond mere entertainment. Bach argues that the ultimate aim of music should be to glorify God and uplift the soul. Anything that deviates from this divine purpose is deemed to be chaotic and devoid of true musical essence. Let's delve deeper into the significance of this quote.
Modern Relevance
Johann Sebastian Bach's assertion that the ultimate purpose of music should be to glorify God and refresh the soul holds relevance in today's music industry. In a world where commercial success often dictates the direction of music, Bach's emphasis on the spiritual and emotional impact of music serves as a reminder of the transcendent power that music has the potential to possess.
Johann Sebastian Bach on the Purpose of Music
"The aim and final reason of all music should be none else but the glory of God and refreshing the soul. Where this is not observed there will be no music, but only a devilish hubbub.” - Johann Sebastian Bach
Reflection Questions
Reflecting on Bach's statement about the purpose of music being the glorification of God and the refreshing of the soul, consider the following questions:
- How does music impact your spiritual life or sense of inner peace?
- What elements of a song or musical composition do you find most uplifting or soul-nourishing?
- Do you believe that music has the power to connect people to something larger than themselves? If so, how?
- In what ways can you incorporate music into your daily life as a form of worship or personal reflection?
- Have you ever experienced a piece of music that felt truly transcendent or spiritually moving? What was it and why do you think it affected you in that way?
Similar quotes
“All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hubbub.”
“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
“The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit.”
“Much of the Soul they talk, but all awry;And in themselves seek virtue; and to themselvesAll glory arrogate, to God give none”
“The finger of the atheists' own divinity, Reason, wrote on the wall the appalling judgments that there is no God; that the universe is only matter in spontaneous motion; and, most grievous word of all, that what men call their souls die with the death of the body, as music dies when the strings are broken.”