To Sing, or not To Sing

September, 2004

by: Aaron Johnson

Have you ever wondered if you really have to sing during church? It's embarrassing, or you think you're terrible, or you simply don't enjoy it? There are many Christians who feel that way, and as a result opt out of lifting their voices in praise to God. How does God feel about that, and what insight does the Bible provide? Let's take a look at some of these issues and see how the Word directs.

There seems to be two broad categories wherein the Scriptures give reference to singing. These two categories are: 1) the teaching, exhorting, and admonishing of fellow believers, and 2) situations in which the power or character of God has been made manifest to men. Let's take a look at the first example.

Ephesians 5:18-19 directs us to “…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ?singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” In a similar fashion, Colossians 3:16 commands us to “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” There are several facets of these verses that stand out at first glance. The verses are commands; not requests or suggestions, but commands. If the Word of Christ or the Spirit dwell within you (i.e. if you are a believer), then you will sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. These songs are to be used for the teaching and admonishing of fellow believers; therefore you cannot claim, “Oh, I sing in my heart to the Lord… He hears me!” No, that comes later in the verses when they say we are to sing from our hearts to God. Our songs must be directed toward the Lord in an audible testimony of who He is and how we are to live; audible for the sake of edifying those around us.

The second circumstance dealing with singing can be exemplified by the Psalms. The Psalms contain prolific references to singing praise, and always provide a cause for the song. Psalm 95:1-3 exhorts us to come and sing joyful praises to God because of the salvation He's provided, as well as praising Him for His greatness and His superiority to other “gods”. Psalm 96 commands people to sing to the Lord and bless His name for the salvation He's provided as well as His power and superiority to other “gods” (notice a theme here?). The Psalm then urges the entire earth to exult in the imminent return of Christ. Psalm 98 proclaims God's wonderful acts and victories, His salvation, righteousness, lovingkindness, faithfulness, and finally, His pending judgment of the earth. All of these events and attributes ought to elicit songs from us, both vocally and instrumentally; they ought to cause us to “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout joyfully before the King, the Lord.” (vv 4–6) There's nothing subdued or passive about this appropriate reaction to the revealed character of God! Consider the Israelites' reaction to the destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea in Exodus 15:1-18. Moses and all of the Israelites, upon seeing the incredible demonstration of God's majestic power and providential salvation, break forth into song and extol the Lord for His mightiness and wondrous works.

Can any Christian deny the mighty working of God in their lives? I think not. Can any Christian feign ignorance of the amazing salvation that God provides them? I think not. Therefore a Christian, in light of who God is and what He has done for them, has but one course of action that will please the Lord. “I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving. And it will please the Lord better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs.” (Psalm 69:30-31) Follow in the footsteps of David, God's beloved, and give God the sacrifice of praise that He desires. Consider your Audience, and weigh the importance of obeying and truly pleasing Him against the potential embarrassment or momentary discomfort of singing in public. Then, choose whom you will serve.