Why Do the Saved Sing?
Dave Faust
"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 96:1). Wherever you find Christians, you will find them singing God's praises.
In Mexico and South America, I have heard them sing joyful choruses accompanied by a Latin beat, while in Europe, the believers sing classic hymns with heartfelt enthusiasm. In Africa, I've tried to sing along as the believers lift their voices in praise and clap their hands to the rhythm. From Haiti to Korea, from Japan to Israel, I have heard Christians use music to honor God. Meanwhile, believers in Australia are creating some of today's best-known contemporary praise songs.
Why on this very Lord's Day will classic hymns and original choruses rattle the windows of modern church buildings, old cathedrals, and rented schools where Christians gather for worship? Why will God's people use everything from robed choirs and pipe organs to electric guitars and bongo drums to praise the Lord?
Music is important biblically. The earliest chapters of Scripture tell about a man named Jubal who "was the father of all who play the harp and flute" (Genesis 4:21). Moses and Miriam sang songs of praise (Exodus 15). The psalmist David played the harp, and his son Solomon wrote 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32). The longest book in the Bible is a songbook, the book of Psalms. A select group of 288 leaders, "all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord," supervised the music ministry in God's temple (1 Chronicles 25:6-8). When the wall of Jerusalem was dedicated, two large choirs marched in joyful procession and led songs of thanksgiving accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres (Nehemiah 12:27-47).
In the early church, when Christians came to worship with a hymn to sing, they needed to offer it "for the strengthening of the church" (1 Corinthians 14:26). The disciples were told, "Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise" (James 5:13). The end of the Bible offers glimpses of Heaven where "the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb" and "sang a new song" of praise (Revelation 5:8, 9). The Bible even says the Lord God himself "will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
Music is important historically. From Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" to Rich Mullins' "Awesome God," believers have called the church to worship through tunes and lyrics that stir our souls and express our faith.
And of course, music is important personally. That's why it's a controversial issue in some churches. Many of us feel strongly about our musical preferences. Do we feel just as strongly about worshiping in spirit and truth? Do we really mean the words we sing? Do we challenge ourselves to sing with our spirits and also with our minds (1 Corinthians 14:15)?
While we discuss what kind of music we should use and how we should use it, let's not forget to ask, "Why do we sing at all?" The Bible tells us why. "Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. . . . For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise" (Psalm 96:2, 4).
This column first appeared in The Lookout on Jul 23, 2000.
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