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What is involved with singing to the Lord?
by Alex M. Lindsay
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Reference: Psalm 92:1-15; 96:1-13; 100:1-5

"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 heart to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)

Worship is an important part of knowing, loving, and serving God. Both Old and New Testaments teach this. Perhaps, because we do not have a giant temple building where we can go and worship, it doesn't seem as real to us. Even though some denominations have attempted to build temple-like buildings, still - worship is a formal, foreign, unnatural thing to most people who claim to be Christians.

There are many who enthusiastically participate in forms of worship. They seem odd to the others, who are not enthusiastic. Unfortunately, the enthusiastic might make some mistakes and get caught up in dramatic performances - mere entertainment. This seems to give credibility to the multitudes who half-heartedly follow along, occasionally, in an attempted worship service.

Music in the church today produces tension, discomfort, critical spirits, and division. Is that what Paul was trying to produce in the Lord's churches when gave us Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:18-21? It is obvious, from Paul's teachings, that we need help from the Psalms. The Book of Psalms is our official book of worship - giving us divinely inspired songs and prayers (Acts 2:42 - Greek "the prayers" cp. 4:24-26).

We are going to study the Psalms and look for two basic things:

1) Worship's Motive and Content
- What is in our heart when we worship? How is our mind involved with worship?
2) Worship's Method and Craft
- How do we worship? What effort and skill does it require to worship God?

Worship's Motive and Content

Psalm 66:8 gives us goals for singing praises to God. When we sing, we are to bless God (i.e. bring honor to God's reputation). We are to make the voice of His praise to be heard (i.e. understood intelligently).

Psalm 47:7 says to "sing praises with understanding." Consider Psalm 92:1-3. Verse three (KJV) mentions "a solemn sound." Other translations simply refer to "harmony" or "melody." While this is possibly a musical notation, the Hebrew word is "higgiaon," which means "meditation." This word appears also in Psalm 9:16; 19:14.

We are being instructed to take time and carefully think over what has been said. The "Solemn sound" (KJV) does not mean that worship music should sound morbid or melancholy. It might be restated, "with a sound that encourages thoughtfulness or meditation." So, we are getting a picture of worship music that is thoughtful. It is a form of communication and teaches something to us ("teaching and admonishing one another" - Colossians 3:16). Paul said, "…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also" (I Corinthians 14:15).

Teach by singing…

  • With joy and gladness - Psalm 9:1-2; 27:6 (cp. Hebrews 13:15); Psalm 66:1-2; 67:4; 100:1-4.
  • With thankfulness - Psalm 13:6; 30:12; 147:7
  • With a pleasant, lovely, delightful spirit - Psalm 135:3; 147:1
  • With a glorious spirit - ("glorious"- Psalm 66:2).
  • With a settled heart - Psalm 57:7; 108:1; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.
  • About His strength and power - Psalm 21:13.
  • About His mercy, faithfulness, and deliverance (judgment) - Psalm 89:1; 101:1.
  • About His salvation, glory and wonders - Psalm 96:1-4.
  • About His holiness and righteousness - Psalm 30:4; 97:12; 51:13.
  • Among unbelievers, as well as the believers - Psalm 18:49; 57:9; 96:3; 108:3; 138:1.
  • To God, as well as to each other - Psalm 100:1-4; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
  • In God's presence - Psalm 100:2
  • A New Song (i.e. fresh, as if unheard of, or as from another place - out of this world!) - Psalm 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1 cp. Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:5-6, 22.

Originally delivered April 30, 2017
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