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Sound Reasons to Sing

Davis Carman|May 16, 2018

I cannot sing well. Some would say I can’t carry a note in a bucket. As a matter of fact, I have three notes in my repertoire, and it probably does sound like I carry those in a pail.

. . . addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart. (Ephesians 5:19)

Growing up, I was well versed in music theory, melody, and four-part harmony. My dad was a gifted vocalist. I enjoyed standing next to him in church and hearing him bellow a deep bass note as the lyrics expressed a theological truth about the Christian faith. But although I learned to play the piano quite well as a child, I did not inherit my father’s singing talent.

And yet a lack of talent doesn’t keep me from singing. Who among us doesn’t sing a little louder in the shower? There’s no question I tend to feel better when I carry a cheerful song in my heart.

When it comes to worship, Psalm 95:1 invites each of us to sing for joy to the Lord, shouting praise to the rock of our salvation. Singing helps us to verbally express the promises of God and the truth of His love. Even the repetition of a simple chorus in sync with the song’s meter can help us to reflect on the wonders of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Singing matters. Singing is powerful. Here are some good (and “sound”) reasons for you to sing today:

Singing Can Point You to Scripture

In Ephesians 5:18-19, the apostle Paul writes, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” We are commanded to sing! Many classic hymns and contemporary worship songs are based on scripture, and singing those tunes (whether in church or in the shower) is an excellent way to meditate on the Word of God.

Singing Can Be a Good Teacher

In Colossians 3:16, Paul tells us, “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.” He exhorts us to let God’s Word dwell in us richly, and then he tells us how to live out that command. The first method Paul mentions, of course, is teaching. But the second is singing! As we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with the body of Christ, the word of Christ will dwell in us abundantly, which is something every believer should crave.

Singing Can Help You to Stop Worrying and Be Happy

We read in Acts 16:16-34 that Paul and Silas were unjustly imprisoned for the sake of the gospel. So what did they do while in prison? Complain about the unfairness of it all? Call thunder and lightning down to smite their captors? No, they sang! Now that will preach to people. When was the last time you chose to sing when confronted with bad news or while working through a difficult or stressful situation? As the popular song goes, “Don’t worry, be happy!”

Of course, it’s a little easier to break into song when you receive good news or much-needed relief from a painful circumstance. So scripture also encourages us this way: “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise” (James 5:13).

Singing Can Bring Focus to Your Worship

God is to be the object of our praises (Matthew 4:10). It is to Him and about Him that we sing! Singing has a unique way of bringing your heart, soul, mind, and body together to focus entirely and completely on the Lord. In an age in which so much is competing for your attention, it’s easy to become distracted. But singing God’s praises can engage your senses and help focus your entire being on Him.

So sing with everything you’ve got. Sing now. Sing tomorrow. Sing forever.

Hear my song, O God, all glorious:
Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning my song shall rise to thee.
Holy! Holy! Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

If you enjoyed this devotional by Davis Carman, check out Are Your Plants Stuck In Their Pots?

Walking by faith and enjoying the homeschooling adventure of a lifetime!

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Davis is the president of Apologia Educational Ministries, the #1 publisher of Creation-based science and Bible curriculum. He is the author of four illustrated children’s books designed to help kids learn a biblical worldview. He believes that if there was ever a time to homeschool, it is now! Davis’s four books include: Good Morning, Godbased on Deuteronomy 6, A Light for My Pathan ABC book based on Psalm 119, In the Beginning, based on the Creation account in Genesis,  Psalms to Know Earl, and Truths to Know Early (Summer 2018).