Today’s lesson focuses on two verses found in the New Testament when it comes to how every christian is commanded to sing.
Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
When we all sing in the assembly, we are all involved in singing from our hymn books and we are making melody in our hearts to the Lord, or at least we should be doing if we are to be pleasing to God Almighty. As we sing these spiritual songs, we are encouraging each other as these words speak to each of us as we sing in tune. It’s important to know that God is listening as we sing praises to Him. Our hearts should be totally absorbed as we sing in the assembly on the first day of the week. As we sing the words, the meaning of these words should penetrate our minds and our thoughts as we think about what these words mean and in so doing they remind us of our personal relationship to Christ is.
God is the audience in our worship. When we teach as an act of worship, the priority is to speak the truth in love and make it understandable to those we intend to teach so they can grasp this knowledge and apply it in their lives. In other words, if all that the teacher is saying is true, but he does not put in a diligent effort to make it understandable to the hearers and his listeners, he does not get the message he wanted to get across, he has made the teaching which is an act of worship to be faulty and fails to get it done in the right manner.
When it comes to singing, does it matter how we sing?
Yes, it matters how we sing. There is no mention in these two verses of using instruments, clapping or stamping our feet, neither is there any New Testament that advocates this and to do so would be adding to God’s word.
In both passages, the words are emphasized in the songs being sung. The melody is good. It helps to highlight the words and the emotions they invoke, but singing is about speaking, teaching, and admonishing those around us through the avenue of songs.
Can I sing loudly with a “horrible” voice, knowing that God is listening to the melody in my heart, or should I be concerned about my voice and whether the entire song will come out smoothly and audibly so that it can serve as an admonishment to one another, just as our listeners are concerned about our teachings?
Does everyone sing well? No. Does it matter? Not really. Rather, is our teaching getting across as we sing? Are songs being selected to teach a message in our sermons? Does that message blend with the lesson and other parts of the worship? Are people excited to be a part of the group, or are they more worried about how they sound? Don’t get me wrong. I love beautiful singing when there’s lots more brothers and sisters all singing in harmony.
Let’s take a closer look at the songs we sing together as a congregation
As I was thinking and preparing this lesson I took a closer look at some of the hymns and spiritual songs we sing and who wrote the words and the tunes that accompany each song… and I thought we should take a closer look at some of these songs we sing.
Lets open our song books and read from some of our favourite hymn and spiritual songs starting with
“What a Friend we have in Jesus”
It begins with, what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. Yes the truth is we have all sinned and fallen short and what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer knowing that if we confess our sins and repent, we can be forgiven. It’s true that what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. The song continues and speaks of trials and temptations but we should never be discouraged, why because we can take it to him in prayer because He faithful and knows are every weakness. Yes we can be weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care, He is still our refuge even when friends despise and forsake us, in His arms He will shield us and we will find solace there with Him. This song was written in 1855 and 13 years later the tune was created with which we are very familiar with today.
“To God Be the Glory”
Is another great hymn which was written 150 years ago and begins with to God be the glory great things He hath done, so loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin and opened the life gate that all may go in… and as we know He purchased us with His own blood so that every believer who truly obeys can be forgiven regardless of how many sins we have committed. It goes on to teach us how we can enjoy life as brethren from the things we learn and how wonderful it will be when Jesus we see.
“Our God, He is Alive”
Another recent favourite that was written in 1966 is a great song to sing when we have visitors. It tells us about the creation God made and how He speaks from His inspired word. It also tells us men may search in different ways but can not find because God has hidden it from them but He only reveals it through the Scriptures.
“Have You Been to Jesus?”
Here’s a hymn we can all relate to and for those thinking about making the right decision to be baptised and have our sins washed away in the waters of baptism. It asks us have we been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour and are you walking daily by the Saviour’s side? When Jesus returns will you be ready… yes or no? if the answer is No, then you need to repent and be baptised into Christ and if you’re a christian who needs to confess their sin, this is an opportunity to make things right with Him.
“Trust and Obey”
Another great Hymn which starts with when we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. This should encourage us all when we sing this song to always trust and obey because we will be rewarded if we remain true and faithful to Him.
Other great hymns that are sung include songs like,
“How Great Thou Art“…
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in, that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin…
Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing“…
Each in his heart sweet music make… His blood has washed our sins away, His Spirit turned our night to day… He will be with us all the way
“Amazing Grace“…
I was lost, but now I’m found, I was blind but now I see… Twas grace that taught my heart to fear…
“The Lord’s My Shepherd“…
He leadeth me in pastures green … for thou art with me …
“I Stand Amazed“…
He took my sins and my sorrow’s, He made them His very own … to sing of His love for me
“Jesus Is Lord“…
My redeemer, how He loves me, He is risen, He is coming … one day we will see Him just as He is.
Every time we sing these Hymns we are sharing the Good News about Jesus Our Lord.
May I encourage you all to open your song books whenever you have the opportunity and read the words of these Hymns and Spiritual Songs and think about them and how they are put together word for word. In your own time try singing them to yourself at home. Practise singing them whenever you get the chance to sing. Try and learn more from these songs and why God has commanded us to sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord and He will repay you when we have run and completed the race.
Amen!
Today’s lesson was delivered by: Bro Robert H Brown
