Making a Joyful Noise to the Lord

Do you like to sing? My observation is that people sang more in decades past, but don’t sing out loud as much today. I believe that when I was a child even my adult male relatives sang in worship. And, when I gathered at my grandfather’s home he often broke out into songs. None of my relatives had what you might call “performing voices,” but we could carry a tune, and at times we were LOUD!

However, last month I was on a family Spring Break Cruise we had been planning for a couple of years. Two of my granddaughters asked me during our evening meal if I didn’t want to sing in the ship karaoke contest. I was let off the hook because our family was scheduled for a late meal, and the singing contest was completed by the time we finished eating. But, I told them, “I get to ‘sing karaoke’ every Sunday. We have the words on screens for the hymns. I sing loudly (even if I sometimes sing the wrong words), and I’m a worship leader.” My wife Kathy chimed in, “He’s sort of right, you know. He even chants some of the liturgy.” My answer to the question, by the way, is that I do personally enjoy singing.

In the Old Testament Psalms God’s people are encouraged, “ . . . Oh sing to the LORD a new song;” (Ps. 96:1). In the New Testament Paul encourages different kinds of worship through song in the following way, “16 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.” (Colossians 3:16 ESV) “ (see also Ephesians 5:18-20)

Notice that God inspired Paul to call the Colossians toward teaching and admonishing (encouraging and correcting) through music. Paul’s first call to God’s people was to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Worship is a response to the presence of Christ living in us, in part through His word. Paul’s call suggests that there are various styles of music. He mentions “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” But, the Ephesians were not only to worship with their minds, by teaching, but with thankfulness in their hearts. Perhaps Martin Luther was thinking of these words of St. Paul when he is supposed to have said, “He who sings . . . prays TWICE.”

Let me share a joy I have experienced during the last 6 months. As I serve as vacancy pastor I have prepared for Sunday worship on Thursday mornings by reviewing and singing through the upcoming worship service with our musicians. I’m not sure I ever considered this preparation in the 3 previous locations where I served. But our musicians in those congregations all worked full-time at other jobs and were not available. However, in my current situation that is not the case. So, with our musician playing, I join in singing through the hymns, and songs, and liturgy. There is some wisdom to this practice in that I at least begin to get on the same page with our musician. Sometimes I need to learn parts before I lead worship on Sundays. Sometime we discuss themes and goals for leading God’s people in worshiping Him. Sometimes we make changes as we prepare. But, if the words of hymns and songs speak to one’s mind, the notes and music speak to a person’s heart. What a treat this musical preparation for worship has been!

Do you enjoy singing? If there is any reason for joy and thankfulness in our world it is that our Heavenly Father created us in love, and when we rebelled He saved us through sending His son, Jesus. During Easter we remember and give thanks for God’s amazing love given in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. His Easter rising and the gift of eternal life through faith give us peace and hope through Jesus’ victory over sin and death. Those are wonderful reasons which inspire poetry and praise and thanks and music. And, we have the privilege of praying and praising twice, the joy of worshiping with mind and with our hearts, in words and through the tune of the music.

I hope you find joy in singing, especially singing praise and thanks to God. I do.