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Articles
The Value of Singing
“Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace; In the mansions, bright and blessed, He’ll prepare for us a place.” – One does not read the previous stanza without immediately being reminded of its melody. The very words evoke in our minds the thought of heaven and our desire to dwell there for eternity. We sing this song with fervent praise and honor to God, because it lifts our spirits and gives strength to those who are weak. The song motivates us to serve God faithfully, and the promise of heaven is made available through His Son. This one hymn stands as a testament to the value of singing both in worship to God and in our daily lives. The songs that we sing daily, weekly, and monthly provide us the assistance needed to maintain our goal of living for God.
One of the most emotional aspects of worship is found in the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to our God. When we properly use these songs to teach and admonish one another, they elicit personal responses both by their words and melodies. The hymns used in worship of God move beyond just this building, but are found in our homes and daily lives. We may remember particular points from past sermons and lessons from God’s Word, but the words contained in song continue to reverberate throughout our lives. These will be the ones that will withstand the test of time, and continue to influence and impact lives for years to come.
We all have hymns that remain special because of the memories that we have attached to them. The hymns that we listened to our parents sing while washing the dishes, working in the yard, or just trying to make it through another day. The hymns that we heard our little children sing with innocence and purity, but at the same time loud and “off-key.” We hear these voices join us in chorus as we sing together in praise and worship of our God. We sing to exalt Him. We sing to encourage one another. We sing because it allows us for a moment to forget about this world and its troubles, and focus upon heaven and how wonderful its going to be there.
We have been truly blessed by God to live in a time that has an abundance of hymns. Hymns that are both old and new. Hymns that can be found in a variety of formats: i.e. song books, folders, and even paperless hymns projected on a screen. While some of these songs may be new and not like the older ones, each song that is sang in the worship of God is worthy to be used. When we join our voices in song to God may we focus on the words and not on the age or format of the songs presentation.
The value of singing is found in its command by God. The Hebrew writer wrote –
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (13:15-16).
The objective of singing in worship to God is not to be praised by men for your ability to read music, keep time, and sound beautiful, but rather to give Him everything in honor and reverence. Our Father is due all praise and honor both today and forever. May God find in our hearts a willingness to sing with enthusiasm, understanding, and love. May God be exalted in our worship to Him.
