Singing as we come together is an important part of our worship. We are to sing at the same time. “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19). “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).

SINGING IS A WAY OF PREACHING CHRIST

There are several early Christian hymns in the New Testament. Phil 2: Tim 3:16. Our singing provides an opportunity to teach about Christ. “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).

Augustine: “Oh, how freely was I made to weep by these hymns and spiritual songs, transported by the voices of the congregation sweetly singing. The melody of their voices filled my ear, and divine truth was poured into my heart. Then burned the sacred flame of devotion in my soul, and gushing tears flowed from my eyes, as well they might.”

SINGING IS A CONFESSION OF FAITH

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge [confess] his name” (Heb 13:15, ESV). KJV & NKJV: “Giving thanks to His name” Greek is “confessing his name.”

You know just how important the confession of faith is. “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt 10:32). “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom 10:9-10).

SINGING IS SPIRITUAL SACRIFICE

“By Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb 13:15). The Old Testament spoke of praise being a form of sacrifice. “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Ps 141:2). “I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving” (Jonah 2:9).

The New Testament speaks of the people of God as a “priesthood.” “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9). “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever” (Rev 1:5-6).

SINGING SHARES IN HEAVENLY PRAISE

Being in heaven, God receives constant praise in song. Rev 5:8-12. Rev 15:3-4. As we sing, we join the heavenly chorus from this side of eternity.

SINGING PROVIDES FOR MUTUAL EDIFICATION

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19). “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification” (1 Cor 14:26).

What is implied in singing for mutual edification? This implies that through the words of the songs we are building each other up. This implies that I need to understand the words of the songs. Edification requires an understanding of what is said (1 Cor 14:9, 16-17, 19). This implies I need to sing.

SINGING EXEMPLIFIES THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH

“You may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 15:6). As a body of believers, we are to be united. “I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor 1:10). As we lift our voices in harmony, we have the opportunity to show that unity.

SINGING EXPRESSES DEEP RELIGIOUS EMOTION

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (Js 5:13). Martin Luther: “Music is a fair and lovely gift of God which has often wakened and moved me to the joy of preaching.... Next after theology, I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor.... My heart bubbles up and overflows in response to music, which has so often refreshed me and delivered me from dire plagues.”