Singing To The Lord

by Toms, A. F. | Category: General | Aug 1981

Most Christians love singing. They always have. Singing is a godly way of expressing the feelings of our hearts. The first singing recorded in the Scriptures is that of the children of Israel when they sang of their deliverance on the shores of the Red sea. Although when Laban remonstrated with Jacob for stealing away secretly, he said "I might have sent thee away with mirth and with songs". So evidently they sang in his day, too. And of course we remember that when the earth's foundations were laid the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7). Singing originated in heaven then, and in heaven it will never end for through the ages of eternity the song of the redeemed will resound to the praise of Him who sits on the throne and of the Lamb.

Singing has three functions at least. Paul wrote about "speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). Or "teaching and admonishing one another" as he put it in the parallel scripture in Colossians (3:16). When we sing together we are teaching one another, putting thoughts into one another's minds which will challenge, encourage and correct. And God is listening too, as He was to His two servants in the inner prison in Philippi as they sang hymns to God (see Acts 16:25). Singing is one way of praising God. David said "With my song will I praise Him" (Psa. 28:7). "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Psa. 69:30). And the third point is that the prisoners were listening in that Philippi jail. Who can tell the lasting effect it had upon them? Often God uses the song on our lips to speak to other hearts, maybe when we do not realize there is anyone listening!

The Lord Jesus is a Singer. He sings in heaven. Hebrews 2:12 says "In the midst of the congregation will I sing Thy praise". "Congregation" here is the Greek word ekklesia, referring to those who are called out of the world and gathered together. In the midst of that gathering the Lord Jesus is the Leader of the praise, as He was the evening before He died. The divine record says that "when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives". It would likely be the great Hallel they sung, Psalms 113 to 118. Those psalms are still sung at the Passover meal in Jewish homes.

Passover day had come, the Passover to which all other Passover feasts had pointed. Our Passover was about to be sacrificed, even Christ. And before He went out into the darkness He led that little band of men as they sang their psalms of praise to one another and to God in heaven, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord. Was there ever a sweeter song than that which rose from their hearts that evening? Was ever a song on earth more valued in heaven? The words of those psalms take on a new meaning when we recall that they were on the Master's lips as He went out to die. Read them through again with that thought in mind, and the Lord the Spirit will guide you into sweet meditations of Christ.

Sometimes a light surprises

The Christian while he sings;

It is the Lord who rises

With healing in His wings.

When comforts are declining,

He grants the soul again

A season of clear shining,

To cheer it after rain.

Toms, A. F. | Aug 1981
General