sing to the lord!

One of the most exciting things for me as a worship leader is when a congregation is visibly and audibly united in Christ, singing joyful praise to the triune God.  Over the summer I’ve become increasingly aware of a lack of engagement in our church’s congregational worship, specifically in times of singing.  There could be many reasons for this: less congregants come to church in the summer, people are distracted, the song is unfamiliar, you think you have a bad voice…etc.  Whatever the reasons, it is clear that scripture is full of instruction and encouragement to sing to the Lord.  Music and singing is one of the easiest ways to express praise that involves your mind (intellect) and your heart (emotions).

This Sunday, I will be encouraging everyone to sing joyfully to the Lord.  Sing loud, sing with your heart!  God doesn’t care if you think you have a bad voice or the song isn’t in your range.  There is something special that happens when a group of people come together and unite in voice to sing praises, For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. (Psalm 47:7)  We will also read scripture aloud throughout the service that will encourage our singing:

• …at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.(Psalm 27:6-7)
• Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.(Psalm 47:6-7)
• Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:11-13)
• Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.(Psalm 33:1-3)
• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.(Colossians 3:16-17)