Articles
Sing!
Music has long been a part of the history of mankind. It is noted in Genesis 4:21 that Jubal “was the father of all those who play the harp and flute”; in other words, we might say he was the father of all musicians! The next earliest record of any kind of music is seen when Jacob fled Laban and Laban hinted at having a celebration with music, if he had known he was leaving (Gen. 31:27). The Israelites would later sing after being delivered from Egyptian captivity by the mighty hand of God (Exod. 15:1). There is no reason to think there was not much singing and music in the times in between those events, however.
We probably know well that the largest "book" of the Bible [Old Testament or New] is a collection of psalms — that is, songs of praise and thanks to God. This "book" is unlike any other in the Bible, though, in that these are not "chapter" divisions, but individual songs. About half are attributed to King David, but if we think that a large number of songs, consider that it is said of Solomon his son, “his songs were one thousand and five” (1 Kings 4:32)! [David's were most likely preserved more often than Solomon's because of their spiritual content and focus, and because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to be written, cf. Matt. 22:43.] If you have taken the time to read these songs as songs and poetry, you probably have an appreciation for the effort put forth to write one's feelings down so eloquently and openly, and in ways generations of believers have been able to use those same words to express praise and thanks to God, also.
Singing, as is already evident by the passages cited, is quite often an exercise in expressing joy, thanks, and praise. Moses and the Israelites sang because they had been delivered from their captors; David sang thanks to God for his blessings, for forgiveness, and for deliverance from his enemies; the Israelites would sing after victories in battle (cf. Jdgs. 5:1), and when they had returned from captivity and laid the foundation of the temple (Ezra 3:11). And, of course, we see John's vision of heaven, where there was singing around the throne of God (Rev. 5:9ff).
But sometimes songs are sung in great sadness, mourning, and — yes — in a state of depression and lament. David sang in great distress (Psa. 77), when he was so overwhelmed he couldn't eat (Psa. 102), and when he felt alone (Psa. 22). Jeremiah sang songs of great sorrow when he looked over the destruction of Jerusalem (Lamentations). To limit our singing to songs of joy would be beyond any normal expectations, for singing is about life itself and all the joys and pains that come with it.
But singing is a natural part of life and, as such, we should expect to sing when we are happy and when we are not so happy. James exhorts us, “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (Jas. 5:13); when Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi, they “were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25). In all times of life, it is not out of place to hear someone singing [a sad song for a sad time; a happy song for a happy time]. With this being true, we should not be surprised to find God's people desiring to sing to God in worship — and God Himself calling for it.
Singing to the Lord. Paul's instruction and command to the brethren of Ephesus was that they be “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). To those in Colossæ he wrote that they should “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). With these two passages being the only direct commands regarding our musical worship in the New Testament [of course, remembering the Old Testament is not the covenant of God's people now], let us note some important points about our musical worship of God.
It is often directed to ‘one another’ rather than to God. When Paul commands those in Ephesus to be “speaking to one another” and to those in Colossæ to be “teaching and admonishing one another” in song, we must not overlook this point and emphasize only our worship directed to God. Part of the reason we sing is to ‘speak to one another’ and to ‘teach and admonish one another’; that is, we are to be exhorting one another by those songs we sing to follow the truths found in God's word. That means, as Albert Barnes rightly says in his commentary, "it is indispensable, in order to the preservation of the truth, that the sacred songs of a church should be imbued with sound evangelical sentiment." [Barnes' Notes on the New Testament, Commentary on Col. 3:16.] It is not possible to properly teach and admonish one another if the words of the songs we sing do not agree with what is taught in God's word.
But let us note for now that, again, some of our singing is directed at one another, rather than to God. Part of our worship gatherings [implied by this being done towards others] should be used for the very purpose of exhorting one another to continue in the ways of God, and that is done by song. That means that, as with the preaching of God's word, we should “Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering” (2 Tim. 4:2) — in song.
We sing. As hard as some try to find a way to use mechanical musical instruments in the worship of God's people in the New Testament, it simply cannot be found in these or any other passages. Note again that Paul commands disciples should be “singing and making melody in your hearts” and “singing with grace in your hearts.” The point of emphasis here should be that the musical offerings are in singing in our hearts — not plucking or banging on some mechanical instrument. The nature of the command [directed to all disciples] would necessitate all being able to obey the command and then keeping that command. We cannot simply say this 'allows' mechanical instruments, for the command is an imperative; that is, all disciples must do it, and do it in this way. If we argue this is talking about mechanical instruments, then the passages mean all disciples must play mechanical instruments. I have yet to see any church practice that in reality, and the reason is simple: not all can do that. Not all have the ability. But we do have the ability to sing in our hearts!
Singing is to the Lord, from the heart. As with the nature of true worship, what we offer to the Lord must come from the heart and not be mere routine or habit. God condemned some for honoring Him with their lips while their hearts were far from Him, and called that worship useless (cf. Matt. 15:8, 9). Let us not be guilty of the same useless worship by not truly offering worship to God in our singing! Let us truly worship Him in song, offering to Him through these “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” our thanks and praise, honestly speaking [singing] the words because we believe them to be true, and Him worthy of the honor and glory and praise and thanks. Let us be more interested in the words we offer to Him, too, rather than getting caught up in the melodies, the catchiness of the tune, or the harmonies involved. Let us make it true worship.
So, knowing what our Lord has asked of us, let us now grab a song book — and let us sing! —— Steven Harper
