How does the gospel shape our singing? This is the first of a 3-part blog addressing this topic. Read parts two and three here.

Why should we sing? Does it matter what we sing? Do we have to sing in a public setting? Do we have to clap or get on our knees? Shouldn’t singing in our privacy be enough? These are all great questions and it’s ok to inquire as we diligently search Scriptures for ways to answer them. Singing is the means that God has created so that we may express ourselves in words and melody that agree with the mind, soul, and spirit. Singing is an element of the Imago Dei, used for glorious purposes by the Trinitarian God for all living creatures and angels. Interestingly, even a secular perspective, like John Koopmans’, explains singing in a way that resonates with us Christians, “Primitive man sings to invoke his gods with prayers and incantations, celebrate his rites of passage with chants and songs, and recount his history and heroics with ballads and epics. There are even cultures that regard singing as such an awesome act they have creation myths relating that they were sung into existence. [1]” It’s important for us to understand that the common grace of singing is to be enjoyed by all mankind. Tim Keller says in his book, ‘Every Good Endeavor’, “Mozart was a gift to us – whether he was a believer or not. [2]”

But like all things, this perfect element of singing was distorted by sin. It started being used in various ways throughout history that did not honor God but rather served the lesser things of this world. To this day, singing is used outside of its original means and in many ways, we see songs sung to glorify ourselves. In the same chapter, Keller agrees with this bipolar idea by saying, “…the reality of God’s nature and our obligations to him are continuously presented to us…If this is true, then every artifact of human culture (singing) is a positive response to God’s general revelation and simultaneously a rebellious assertion against his sovereign rule over us.”

This is not to say that we shouldn’t enjoy good music. I sure do! The creativity and the ideas outside of the church, has in many ways, surpassed that which is within the Church. But what we see now is not the overall picture of what singing should look like but rather what the element of singing in us, long to do. I believe that when we understand the beauty of congregational singing and expressions, it will give us the most meaning and comprehension of the original design God had for it. When we go to be with the Lord for eternity, the congregational element will be the only one that exists forever. Until then, God has given us the common grace of enjoying all types of singing and expressions, and so we should! The idea of singing and other expressions outside the context of the congregation is a subject worthy of discussion but what I would like to convey here is strictly within the context of the congregation.

Biblical History of Singing

Every good thing that we enjoy in this world, like singing, is a created thing. That means, there was a perfect form of that ‘good’ before the fall and even before creation. Don’t think for a minute that God doesn’t care about music or singing or that it’s too small of a matter to Him. He created singing. Singing might have been something that the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit were doing while in absolute perfect union. Before creation or before any occurrence, each Person of the Trinity was in fullness of joy and peace while serving each other. God didn’t need creation for His complete satisfaction and joy. Surely, singing was part of that harmony between all three Persons. So much that God chose it to be an intrinsic part of creation for our joy. Remember that before Satan’s fall, Lucifer had the unique giftings of the ministry of music. (Ezekiel 28:13) It’s not a far sketch to think that our Trinitarian God loves music, singing, and other expressions.

I love what Pastor John Piper said in an article few years ago: “The fact that Christianity is a singing religion bears witness, not only to the way we’re wired as human beings, but to the kind of God we have: namely, a God who is one day, according to Zephaniah 3:17, going to sing over us. He is going to lead a choir and celebrate the fact that we are his. And we’re going to join in singing that he is ours, because God is so valuable and so beautiful and so multi-faceted in his perfections that to leave out the emotional component–and not let it spill over in poetry and song–would be to leave out a key element in worship. [3]”

Look at some of the ways singing has been used throughout scriptures:

Singing is a gift. It seems that singing was common way of gifting others in order to display joy. (Gen 31:27)
Singing implies worship. (Exo 32:18)
Singing is a declaration to the world about the might of God. (Judges 5)
Singing Psalms and playing music was apparently used by the Lord to drive out evil spirits. (1 Samuel 16:14-23)
Singing is because of victory. (1 Samuel 18:6)
Singing is to celebrate. (2 Samuel 6:5)
Singing is a ministry. (1 Chronicles 6:32)
Singing is so that we may express our gratitude to God.
Singing is to declare His goodness in all times.
Singing is for men and for women. (Ezra 2:65)
Singing along with rejoicing are driven by music. (Job 21:12)
Singing is a way to “Shout to God”. (Psalm 47:1)
Singing to the Lord so that our lips may praise Him. (Psalm 63:5)
Singing to recount God’s faithfulness and all that He has done. (Psalm 107:22)
Singing is the soul-satisfying gift and eventual result of endured suffering. (Psalm 126:5)
Singing because we are crowned with unending joy. (Isaiah 35:10)
Singing is what God does when He delights in us and rejoices over us. (Zeph.3:17)
Singing is done after The Lord’s supper. Also, Jesus sang! (Matthew 26:30)
Singing and praying are inseparable! (Acts 16:25)
Singing signifies that we are filled with Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18,19)
Singing is a result of the Word dwelling in us richly. (Colossians 3:16)
Singing will be for eternity. When the end of this world draws near, our bold declaration of who Christ is, will be through singing. (Revelations 5:12)
Singing means all that it fully means, only for the redeemed. (Revelations 14:3)

In light of its created design, there are many more passages that will prove the magnificence of singing. But look at all the ways singing was used. Surely you can find your reasons and motivations in the list above for why you should sing and more importantly, why your soul longs to sing so that we may express the exultation of God. We were made for this.

The evidences of congregational singing will only keep on evolving until Christ returns. Even under heavy persecution and martyrdom, the universal Church can do no other but to sing their song to the Lord because in that, they are all encouraged and reminded that they belong to the true God of this universe who is in control. That’s what singing does. It unites. It sparks courage. It emboldens us to move forward with the flame of the gospel. And that’s what this piece is really about. The Gospel!

[1] John Koopman (Operatic and Vocal Professor at the Conservatory of Music in Lawrence University); http://www2.lawrence.edu/fast/KOOPMAJO/antiquity.html

[2] Every Good Endeavor; Tim Keller; p. 194;198

[3] John Piper quotes from web interview: http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/why-is-singing-so-important-for-christians