Singing Hymns to God

For thousands of years, the Lord’s people have sung songs of praise to Him (cf. Ex. 15:1; Num. 21:17; 2 Chron. 29:30). Even today, the singing of spiritual songs is an integral part of the worship we offer unto God. Why the importance of singing in our worship to God?

Singing is Commanded by the Lord. The Lord has commanded that Christians should speak “to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:19). If you are a child of God and have a voice, no matter the quality, you are commanded to sing songs unto the Lord.

Singing is a Means of Praising God. Not only should we sing because the Lord demands it, we should also sing as it is one way we praise Him. We are to “Continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15). We must realize that simply singing a song is not, in and of itself, praise. For it to truly be praise, it must be sung with the proper spirit (Jn. 4:24). God is pleased when His people truly offer to Him the sacrifice of praise in the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs which they sing.

Singing Teaches and Admonishes. The primary reason for the singing of spiritual songs is to praise our God in Heaven. Yet, this does not exclude the fact that there are ancillary benefits we receive when we worship God in song. Paul notes that we are “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16). Listen carefully to the teaching and warnings of the songs we sing.

Singing Comes from a Grateful and Cheerful Heart. As the people of God we should “be thankful” (Col. 3:5). Out of a truly thankful heart should come our songs of praise. James penned, “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (Jas. 5:13). As Christians who have “every spiritual blessing…in Christ” we have much to be cheerful about (Eph. 1:3). Let us never forget that in singing we express our heartfelt thanks to God.

David Eldridge