You Were Made to Sing. Yes, You

You were made to sing. Yes, you! Not only that, you were made to sing with other believers. While the amount of time has varied from time to time and from place to place, on average, churches devote about one-third of the time they spend together each week to congregational singing. But why? What should we sing? And why should we sing together? While there is a vast number of answers to those questions, here are three thoughts to consider.
 
1. There is a Biblical Mandate
 
“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” - Psalm 95:1-2
 
“Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.”  – Psalm 96:1-4
 
The Psalms resound with admonishments for us to sing praises to God. They also reveal a connection that exists between music and spiritual devotion. Singing is described as a joyful expression of gratitude and reverence. It is a powerful means by which we can draw near to God’s divine presence.
 
“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.” - Colossians 3:16
 
The apostle Paul highlights the role of singing as a part of our spiritual growth and community. He encourages believers to engage in congregational singing as a way to absorb the message of Christ on a personal level, and to edify one another. Singing is an avenue that leads to encouragement and spiritual enrichment among us as believers.
 
2. Collective Worship Is Powerful
 
Singing together as a church family is not only a personal expression of faith; it is communal in its nature and carries profound significance. When voices unite in song, a sacred symphony emerges that reflects the unity of believers while echoing the eternal hymn of heaven.
 
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” - Psalm 133:1
 
 As we gather for worship, singing becomes a tangible display of unity and solidarity. Music is able to transcend our individual differences and unite our hearts in the common purpose of glorifying God and proclaiming His faithfulness.
 
“Address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” - Ephesians 5:19
 
Through congregational singing, believers engage in spiritual dialogue, speaking truth and encouragement to one another through music. It fosters a sense of belonging and shared identity, reinforcing the bonds of fellowship within the body of Christ.
 
3. It Is a Source of Encouragement
 
We shouldn’t just sing within the walls of the church building on Sundays. Music and worship through song should be a part of our life throughout the week. In times of joy, it allows us to raise our voice in praise. In times of sorrow, singing serves as a source of peace and inspiration. It uplifts weary souls, instills hope, and reaffirms our faith in the midst of life’s ups and downs.
 
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”- James 5:13
 
While it may come easy when life is good and going our way, lifting our voice in song should not be limited to moments of celebration. Music spans the whole spectrum of the human experience. In times of trouble, singing is a powerful expression of our trust in God's faithfulness and a declaration of the victory we have through Him over every circumstance.
 
 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” - Acts 16:25
 
Even in the darkest of hours, singing has the power to overcome despair and usher in hope. Like Paul and Silas in the Philippian prison, believers can find strength and courage through songs of faith, transforming their surroundings with the sounds of praise.
 
Why is worship music so powerful? I believe it’s because so many of the lyrics we sing are taken directly from Scripture. When we sing, we are memorizing and placing God’s Word in our hearts. We might actually be amazed at how much scripture we have memorized by the songs you have swirling around inside our hearts and minds.
 
God’s people singing together across generations and cultures is firmly rooted in scripture. It serves as a powerful testimony when we gather together united in spirit. Music is something that gets inside our heart, mind and soul to serve as a source of encouragement as we go through our daily lives. As we lift our voices in song, may we be reminded of the profound truth that through music, we draw nearer to His divine presence, edify one another, and proclaim the goodness of our God.

-Jason Taylor
Worship & Youth Pastor