MADE TO WORSHIP

 

SINGING IN THE BIBLE

There are almost fifty direct commands to sing in Scripture, as well as four hundred references to singing. Two of those passages (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16) instruct us to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God and to one another. These aren’t suggestions, preferences, or good ideas. They’re commands. Which means God intends for us to obey them. Why does God want us to sing?

 

God is WORTHY – There is no other name that is worthy of all praise, glory, honor, and renown. The glory of God demands our praise and we respond with joy.  Paul tells is in his letter to the Roman church that our tendency is to worship created things rather than our creator.  (Romans 1:25)  As a church we proclaim that God alone is worthy of our worship.

 

Singing REFLECTS the nature of God.

The Father sings over his redeemed people (Zephaniah 3:17). Jesus sings with us in the midst of the congregation (Heb. 2:12). One of the fruits of being filled with the Spirit is singing (Eph. 5:18-19). We worship a triune God who sings, and he wants us to be like him.

 

God COMMANDS it.

The Word of God doesn’t suggest that we sing. It’s a command.   We find throughout scripture that God wants us to sing to Him.

“Sing to him a new song…” (Psalm 33:3).

“Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” (1 Chronicles 16:9 )

Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.” (1 Chronicles 16:23 ”)

“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” (Psalms 47:6 )

 

Singing helps us REMEMBER.

Throughout Scripture, God reminds his people of their tendency to forget his promises, commands, and warnings. In Deut. 31, as Israel is about to enter the promised land, God tells Moses that his people will turn to idols after they enter Canaan. He then instructs Moses to teach the Israelites a song, so that, “when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring)” (Deut. 31:21). We sing to remember God’s word, and most of all, the word of Christ, or the gospel (Col. 3:16). Science has confirmed that we remember words, patterns, and categories more easily when words are set to music. It’s why hardly anyone can quote a John Wesley sermon, yet most people know the words to Charles Wesley’s “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.”  When you combine God’s Word with a catchy melody, it is much easier to remember and recall God’s promises.

 

Singing is more a matter of our HEARTS than our voices.

“When a non-singer becomes a Christian, he or she becomes a singer.”

We sing and make melody to the Lord with our hearts (Eph. 5:19). The sounds we make affect those around us, for better or worse. But God hears what no one else can. It’s the song of the Redeemed for their great Redeemer. It’s a song we didn’t originate and can’t improve upon. It’s true that those who led the singing at the temple were trained and skilled in music for the Lord (1 Chron. 25:7). But there’s no indication either in the early church or in Revelation’s depiction of heaven that anyone gets a pass when it comes to singing praises to God.

 

Singing expresses and engages our EMOTIONS.

In every culture, music is a language of emotion that helps express what we feel. So David writes, “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed” (Ps. 71:23). The words of his redeemed soul overflow into song.

At the same time, music engages our emotions.  In Mt. 11:17 Jesus implies that music can lead us to either dance or mourn. It can draw out a variety of feelings including romance, peace, joy, fear, playfulness, sadness, or awe. Singing can help us feel the truth more deeply.

 

Singing together reflects and deepens our UNITY in the gospel.

Being together in the same room is one way we can express our unity. But singing together draws attention to that bond as we sing the same words at the same time. In fact, Paul uses a musical analogy when he wants to encourage gospel-driven unity: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col. 3:14).

 

Singing Truth BUILDS FAITH.

A regular rhythm of corporate singing is important. When life’s circumstances are overwhelming, singing God’s word builds our faith and reminds us of what is constant.

 

Music is an Essential Part of our CULTURE.

Music is everywhere. Great music can assist us in reaching those who are far from God.  Music can be used as a way of spreading God’s gospel and tell Gods story to those who might not be willing to listen to it otherwise.