Discipline of Singing

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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving

Introduction

1. Our study of spiritual disciplines have so far examined such spiritual exercises as

a. Prayer – especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer

b. Meditation – contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue

c. Fasting – as a means of humbling one’s self before God, especially when joined with prayer

2. Another discipline in which we engage regularly is singing

a. We spend nearly a third of our assemblies engaged in this activity

b. Rightly so, for it has the potential of reaping great spiritual benefits

3. But I wonder if some do not appreciate the value of singing

a. Many Christians sing with virtually no emotion, some do not sing at all!

b. I have known Christians, who

1) Complained because time available for classes was taken up by singing a few hymns

2) Will not attend a worship service if they know it will be devoted to singing

4. Singing as a spiritual discipline is of great value, and should be a habit engaged by those who desire to grow in godliness.

Body

I. THE PURPOSE OF SINGING

A. TO PRAISE THE LORD (UPWARD)

1. This is the most common concept of the purpose of singing

a. Indeed, this is certainly the idea inherent in the word ‘hymn’

b. Which comes from the Greek word humnos, “a song in praise of”

2. The Psalms call upon us to praise God in song

a. “Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” – Psalm 30:4

b. “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.” – Psalm 47:6-7

c. “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.” – Psalm 95:1

d. “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.” – Psalm 96:1

e. “Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.” – Psalm 96:2

3. Praising God in song should be a natural for Christians!

a. David reacted this way to the blessings of God – Psalm 28:6-7; 59:16-17

b. Christians are taught to sing praises when joyful – James 5:13

c. Paul and Silas even reacted to persecution by singing praises – Acts 16:25

B. TO TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER (OUTWARD)

1. Singing is not always directed toward God

a. Certainly, many songs are

b. But songs are often directed to each other – cf. Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19

2. That’s because many songs are designed to teach one another

a. Teaching and admonishing us to live properly, to enjoy the blessings of the Christian life

b. It might even be said that ‘congregational singing’ is actually ‘congregational teaching’!

C. TO BE FILLED AND ENRICHED (INWARD)

1. David wrote of the personal benefit of singing praises

a. It made his lips and soul to greatly rejoice – Psalm 71:23

b. He found it to be pleasant and beautiful – Psalm 147:1

2. Singing can be a means to being filled with the Spirit

a. Paul charged the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit – Ephesians 5:18

b. He explained how: by singing and making melody in one’s heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19

3. Singing can be a means to being enriched by the Word of Christ

a. Paul charged the Colossians to let the Word of Christ dwell in them richly – Colossians 3:16a

b. Again he explains: by singing with grace in one’s heart to the Lord – Co 3:16b

D. Singing is a wonderful spiritual discipline that blesses God, those who hear us and even us as we sing. How can we get more out this spiritual discipline?

II. THE PRACTICE OF SINGING

A. ENGAGE THE MIND AS YOU SING

1. Remember, singing is teaching and admonishing one another

2. This assumes that we understand what we sing – cf. 1 Corinthians 14:15

3. We must be careful that our enjoyment of singing is not like how many people enjoy their popular music (i.e., liking the music without necessarily understanding the words)

B. ENGAGE THE HEART AS YOU SING

1. When we sing, we must do so

a. “with grace in your hearts” – Colossians 3:16

b. “making melody in your heart” – Ephesians 5:19

2. This assumes that we involve our ‘heart strings’ (emotions) as we sing!

3. To sing without emotion (without grace in our hearts)

a. Is hypocritical, and condemned by Jesus! – Matthew 15:7-8

b. Will be evident in our countenances! – cf. Proverbs 15:13

C. EXPAND THE SPHERE OF YOUR SINGING

1. Is your singing limited just to the public assemblies, on the first day of the week?

2. Singing, like prayer, ought to be spontaneous, arising whenever the circumstances call for it – cf. Acts 16:25; Psalm 34:1-3

3. Take advantage of special opportunities to sing, such as monthly and annual singings

4. As a spiritual exercise, it should be done in private devotions as well as in public worship

a. Sing while you work, travel, or alone in your private meditations

b. Make use of hymns on tapes or CDs when traveling or meditating

Conclusion

1. David exemplifies the attitude of one who exercises himself through the discipline of singing

a. “I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” – Psalm 13:6

b. “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.” – Psalm 57:9

c. “I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” – Psalm 104:33

2. He likewise calls upon us to sing praises both in public and in private

a. “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints.” – Psalm 149:1

b. “Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.” – Psalm 149:5

3. As we seek to exercise ourselves unto godliness (2 Timothy 4:7), consider the discipline of singing as an appropriate complement to other spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, and fasting