Why Do Christians Sing?
As long as I can remember, I have been singing, not always in a manner that is pleasing to the ears of others but always making noise. When I was a child, singing made complete sense. My view of life and its perils were limited and much of my time was dedicated to fun and games. But, why do adults sing? Even more, why do Christians? From the outside looking in, it would seem that of all the people in the world, Christians have much to be sorrowful for. The world hates their orthodoxy, their Savior was murdered by the very people He served, their congregations are dwindling, and their leaders are continually found in scandal. Yet, week after week, they gather in homes, warehouses, rec centers and traditional churches to celebrate, through song the doctrines of their faith. So why do they sing?
1. Because God is great.
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Everyday I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable.
Psalm 145:1-3
Before man was ever created, there was God, in the fullness of His splendor, without want, fully satisfied within the Godhead. In Genesis 1:1, we find this great God choosing to share His splendor with the world. Just as He was, they would be, satisfied and without want in communion with Him. Truly this is a great God! As we watch God create for His glory and our good, the right response is to worship, and all of creation does. In Psalm 19:1-4, we are told that this is the song of creation. Without sound, all of creation sings the praises of the greatness of God. Before man was even created, all of creation had begun to praise the Fountain from which life came . Should our response be any different?
2. Because grace runs deep.
Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Psalm 98:1-3
Upon reception of a gift, it is fitting to respond with thanks and praise. When you receive a great gift, it is fitting to spring into song. Take for example Adam when God blesses him with Eve in Genesis 2. Adam’s song comes from a remembrance of his great want and the overwhelming reality of his present wealth. Christians have not just received a gift or even a great gift, but they have received the greatest gift.The grace that we receive in Christ provides us with blessings in this life and the next, salvation now and a salvation to come. The grace of God has taken us from darkness to light, orphan to child, enemy to friend, poor to rich, condemned to acquitted. As you can see there is much for us to sing about.
3. Because the world and the church need to hear.
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. 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.
Colossians 3:16-17
As the capstone of creation, we have been given the unique ability to reflect the glory of God. When we, through a relationship with Him, behold His majesty and are blessed, we respond with songs of thanksgiving and praise. Through our songs, those who are blinded by the flesh, fighting temptations, or struggling to find hope are reminded that God is great. Christian singing convicts the hearts of the lost and stirs the hearts of the saints to greater affection and devotion. In song, both the mind, which communicates the heart, and the emotions, the whirlwind of man's feeling and initial responses, are sieved through the truth of Scripture. We are taught and reminded how to feel and how to interpret our feelings, all of which are transformed by the reality of the gospel and the redeeming blood of Christ.
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Now, this list is by no means exhaustive but my hope is that it significantly leads us to singing with greater intention. Our songs carry weight because their subject is of eternal importance for our souls and for the souls of every man, woman and child. My hope is that as we gather to worship, we sing proudly. For our God is great and His grace runs deep, so let us fill the earth with songs of praise so that men may turn to Him and worship.
PSALM 150
Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
Praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
Praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
Praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!