Singing to God

1. There is a fundamental human need to sing.

1) Everyone likes a good tune.

2) Everyone tries his hand at singing occasionally.

2. Brief Bible History of Music

1) Genesis 4:21–“. . . Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.”

2) Genesis 31:27–Laban berides Jacob, “Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?”

3) Leviticus 25:9 The year of Jubilee–“Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.”

4) Gideon when he attacked the Midianites–Judges 7:18–“When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.”

5) David playing for Saul–“And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23

6) The Psalms–Praise God, Build Up Fellow, Instruct in way of righteousness, Embolden in War, Announce Victory (Comp. song of Deborah), Prophecy concerning future events, etc….

7) Song of Solomon–A Love Song.

8) The Lamentations of Jeremiah–Sad Song.

9) Our Lord sang before his betrayal and arrest. Matthew 26:30

10) The early church sang. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16

11) There will be singing to God in heaven. Rev.5:9 Sang a new Song.

3. Why sing?

1) To be uplifted. James 5:13

2) To comfort in time of need. Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25.

3) To glorify God. Romans 15:9; Rev.15:3

4) To encourage the church. Hebrews 2:12

1. Its Attitude

1) 1 Corinthians 14:15 Understanding

2) Ephesians 5:19 Contrasted with drunkeness.

3) Colossians 3:16 Contrasted with drunkeness.

2. Its Action

1) All new testament passages use singing.

2) Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

3) No other kinds of music are authorized (Colossians 3:17).

a. No mechanical additions.

b. No vocal non communicative additions

a) Whistling

b) Humming

c) B-Bopping

c. What about outside the assembly?

1. Outward

1) Sit close to each other.

2) Sit up straight.

3) Sing out.

2. Inward

1) Pay attention to the words of the songs.

2) Conjure up the imagery of the song when possible.

3) What to do during the chorus? Think about the relationship of the main point to the stanza.

4) Read some examples.