“A person who gives this some thought and yet does not regard it [music] as a marvelous creation of God, must be a clodhopper indeed and does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs.” ~ Martin Luther *1
The Bible contains over four hundred references to singing and fifty direct commands to sing. The longest book of the Bible, the Psalms, is a book of songs. And in the New Testament, we’re commanded not once, but twice, to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to one another when we meet (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).*2
God himself sings. In Zephaniah 3:17 God exalts over his people “with loud singing.”
Singing is a powerful outward expression of our worship. Paul admonished believers to: “be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord….” Eph 5:18-19
10 Benefits of Praise and Worship
INVITES THE PRESENCE OF GOD. 2 Chronicles 5:11-14
BRINGS DELIVERANCE FROM ENEMIES. Psalm 18:3
STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH. Romans 4:20
BRINGS VICTORY. 2 Chronicles 20:15-20
BRINGS US CLOSER TO GOD. James 4:8
SATISFIES THE SOUL. Psalm 63:1-5
DRAWS MEN TO GOD. John 12:32
REPELS DEPRESSION. Isaiah 61:3
BRINGS LIBERTY. Acts 16:25-26
BRINGS JOY. Psalm 100:4
May our hearts be filled with singing in the coming year!
Happy New Year!
*1 Luther, “Preface to Georg Rhau’s Symphoniae iucundae,” LW 53, cited by Buszin in “Luther on Music,” The Musical Quarterly 32, no. 1 [1946]: 85