If we are to worship in spirit and in truth, can the use of time-honoured clichés be justified?
Well, it depends. If they're good clichés, yes. Again, I quote the Psalms: our Lord used the Psalms, generations of Israelites used the Psalms, and we use them still, don't we? 'The lord is my shepherd; I shall not want' (Psalm 23:1)—beautiful, is it not? It's been around for thousands of years, and nothing the worse for it. So there's nothing wrong in using phrases that have been around for thousands of years, if you can sing them and they mean something, and you can sing them intelligently and meaningfully.
Of course, there are bad old clichés, mumbo-jumbo phrases that get used. Let's do the best we can, but let's not be unduly critical, however, of other folks. Some people find it easy to express themselves and some find it very difficult to find words, so they borrow words from somebody else and they use them. The real thing that matters is how sincere they are being.
On the other hand, for public worship in the church, let's see to it, if we can, that we're talking realistically and not just mouthing a lot of phrases that, really, when they're analysed, mean nothing. Let's talk from our hearts, and if you find it difficult to think of words you need never be ashamed to use the words of holy Scripture. 'I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth' (Psalm 34:1).
