Austin's Blog

One thing you’ll notice that is universal across denominations and Church history is that Christians are a singing people. When gathered together in corporate worship, the singing of hymns, spiritual songs, and worship music is virtually constant. Why is this so? Why do Christians sing when gathered together instead of painting, sculpting, or acting? Why sing? In the next two posts, I’ll list twelve reasons according to the Scriptures why Christians are said to be a signing people.

We sing because we are commanded to recognize and revel in His worth. As simple as it sounds, it is true, we are commanded by the Sovereign King of the Universe to sing His praises. When God commands His creatures to do something, the only worthwhile response is immediate obedience.

Psalm 96:1-3 1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”

Psalm 147:1 1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

We sing because it has existed from Creation. However old you think the world is, one thing is true, singing was present as it was being created. The angelic hosts were singing the power, might and glory of God as the world was coming into being.

Job 38:4-7 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

We sing because all of Creation is said to sing. Although metaphoric, Creation itself is said to sing the praises of God. Everything exalts its righteous Creator, even inanimate objects and lesser creatures.

Isaiah 44:23  23 Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.

Isaiah 49:13 13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Isaiah 55:12 12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Jeremiah 51:48 48 Then the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them, shall sing for joy over Babylon, for the destroyers shall come against them out of the north, declares the LORD.

We sing because God sings. As wild as it sounds, God Himself created singing and sings over His people in delight. Jesus is also recorded as singing along with His disciples (Matt. 26:30) . If God does it, we ought to also follow suit. What a glorious thought to consider- our God sings in rapturous joy when He considers His people and His glory.

Zephaniah 3:17 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Hebrews 2:11-12  11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Romans 15:8-9  8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”

We sing because it expands our joy in Him. God commands us for our joy. His commands aren’t meant to limit our joy but expand, uplift, and protect it. Nothing enlarges our joy like singing to the Lord amidst His people or hearing His praises on the lips of others. The Lord often uses singing to deepen our delight in Him.

Psalm 5:11 11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

Psalm 63:5-8 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

James 5:13 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

We sing because it teaches, encourages, and instructs fellow believers. Our singing is didactic; it teaches and informs the Church and the watching world what we value and believe. This is one reason why the song selection is so vital. Just as we refuse to preach something other than the Bible, we ought to refuse songs with low, unbiblical, or false views of God. We are educating as one Body when we sing.

Colossians 3:16-17 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Ephesians 5:18-19 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Stay tuned for part two of this series where we examine six other reasons why Christians are said to sing. May we find time today to sing His praises.