Singing has traditionally held an important place in the church. King David (a superb Christian) forever established singing at the center of all the church’s dealings since his reign. Even before that, certain songs were central to what it meant to be a member of the body of Moses, the daughter of Yahweh (Ex. 15, Deut. 32). The musical heritage of the church is rich, diverse and full of blessedness. The Reformation itself was as much a reformation of liturgy as theology like choir being in the pews and the movement of the table for the Lord’s Supper and the placement of the pulpit. In the Bible we are told that the whole world is to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, serve God with gladness, and approach God with singing (Ps. 100:2). We are told to sing the psalms, to sing new songs, and to do it skillfully (Ps. 33:2-3). We are told that the wicked use their tongue to lay traps through flattery, but the righteous doth sing and rejoice (Prov. 29:5-6). Our singing is to include our understanding (1 Cor. 14:15), So no singing in tounges (like Latin or German) during the worship service, (this would include babbling, vain repetitions in song, and singing songs that are not true). And our singing is to be loud (Neh 12:42-43) (Early church amens used to shake the walls and scare the neighbors). We are to sing if we are joyful (James 5:13) sing to one another for mutual edification (Eph. 5:17-20), teach through songs (Is 5:1) (This is what makes Bob Dylan so affective, bad music so dangerous and good music so wonderful). Sing our thanksgiving (2 Sam. 22:50, Ezra 3:10-11) and sing our history (Ps 106:11-12).
One last aspect of our singing is something that the Bible teaches that isn’t often taken into account. Our songs are the breath of God, knocking down the wicked and their idols (Is. 30:29-31:1); The Choir in the pews is at war with the idols of their community. Because the church is the body of Christ, present in the world, our songs are powerful, more powerful that we ever imagine. They are prayers that God hears and answers. We are singing from within the triune communion, so our songs are sanctified and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And like a true arrow, true songs shoot straight. This is why singing the songs given to us by inspiration is so fun because we are ramming the gates of hell with a enormous battering ram, that was forged from Moses’ day until the exile into Babylon. And heathens get nervous when they hear the wood creak and begin to split with one gigantic boom each Sunday morning.
