Articles
Why I Sing
1) I sing because the New Testament commands me to sing. “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). If I love the Lord, then I will keep His commandments (John 15:4; I John 5:3). I sing and do NOT play because: (a) doing so would be adding to the NT pattern of worship (John 4:24; I Cor. 4:6; Rev. 22:18-19); (b) doing so would be following the Law of Moses, which was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14).
2) I sing because God is most deserving of my praise. David declared: “Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” (Psalm 30:4). “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You” (Hebrews 2:12).
3) I sing because my Lord set the example for me to follow. “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:30; cf. I Peter 2:21).
4) I sing because I am happy. “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises” (Psalm 98:4). “Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2). “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13).
5) I sing because I want to make melody in my heart to the Lord. “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19; cf. Col. 3:16).
6) I sing because I am to teach and admonish my brethren. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16).
Dear friends, when you assemble to worship God do you sing or do you sing and play? The Lord and His apostles only give us authority to sing (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:42). Let us be sure to worship God “in spirit” AND “truth” (John 4:24). Let us remember and apply the inspired words of the apostle Paul: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). Even more impactful when you include verse 16 with it, right?
