Psalm 47:6
- to magnify God (Psalm 69:30)
- to thank God (Psalm 69:30)
- to praise God (Psalm 69:30)
- to declare His wonderful works (Psalm 105:2)
- to teach and admonish each other (Colossians 3:16)
- because it is good and pleasant (Psalm 147:1)
- because Jesus did (Matthew 26:30)
Who should we sing to?
- God (Psalm 47:6)
- each other (Colossians 3:16)
What should we sing?
- praises (Psalm 47:6)
- psalms (Ephesians 5:19)
- hymns (Ephesians 5:19)
- spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19)
How should we sing?
- with joy (Psalm 27:6)
- with thanksgiving (Psalm 147:7)
- with gladness (Jeremiah 31:7)
- with understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15)
- with grace (Colossians 3:16)
When should we sing?
- when victorious (Exodus 15:1)
- when joyful (James 5:13)
- when in prison (Acts 16:25)
The Blessing of Song
Having the ability to sing is a blessing, even though not everyone can sing well (myself included). Whatever voice God chooses for us is what we're meant to have and we should be thankful that we can worship the Creator through song. Even Jesus sang while on earth. After partaking in the Lord's supper Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn as recorded in Matthew 26:30. Just imagine what it would have been like being there singing with Jesus to the Father. The following is a story that I enjoyed reading from the book Daily Truth for Godly Youth by Howard Bean.
Looking up into the surgeon's face and smiling, the youth replied, "Doctor, I will sing again. If I never sing again on earth, I am going to sing a new song with the redeemed around the throne of God in heaven. I am going to sing unto Him who loved me and washed me from my sins in His own blood." Then he added, " I want to sing once more on earth - before you remove my tongue tomorrow morning."
The next day the youthful singer was taken to the operating room. Before the anesthetic was administered the surgeon said kindly, "Now what about your last song?" The youth's beautiful voice filled the room as he sang, "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood" in it entirety.
Shortly after, the young man died. Because he believed in Jesus who offered His blood as a sacrifice for sin, he could join the celestial singing. Whether we know what our last song will be or not, may our song be such that we can take it to heaven with us."
There's much hypocrisy that happens in singing. If people know a song, they might just look around and think about other things or they might try to impress their fellow church members with their singing abilities. If we're doing anything other than singing with our whole hearts than it's wrong. In Matthew 15: 7-9, Jesus said, "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophecy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." When singing we must stay focused on the lyrics. How are we worshiping God through song if we're just mumbling the words with no thought put into it? Are we only worshiping God with our lips or are we worshiping Him with our hearts? May our worship never be in vain.