I'm just curious. The Bible has exhortations everywhere for God's people to sing songs of praise, from David in the Old Testament to Paul in the New Testament.
What is it exactly about the act of singing praises that glorifies God. I guess another way to frame my question is how does singing a song of worship differ than say, offering a prayer of worship?Or perhaps, what is it exactly about the act of singing that glorifies God?
Why sing?
Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Travelsong, Nov 26, 2002.
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Prehaps because we use the talent God gave us. By doing that, would we not glorify Him? We as Christians really should do everything for God's glory.
~Abby -
Greetings all:
I believe that singing expresses our souls most inner thoughts. One day we will join the eternal throng above and we will sing a new song unto the One who is worthy and "hast redeemed us to God by his blood" Rev. 5:9
May we get our hearts in tune here and now as we prepare for that great day!
Praise his name for he is worthy!
Robert -
PS100 says to make a joyful noise to the Lord. If we're blessed with a good voice, it's a time to praise him with it. If we're blessed with a bad voice, it's a time to get even without fear of retribution. ;)
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Have never found anyone who was a real christian who did not have a "singing" faith. :cool:
If you can't sing, I question your salvation! :rolleyes:
(Okay, not really, but you SHOULD learn how to sing. Honestly never have met anyone who could not LEARN to sing with a little training.) -
Some interesting responses.
I'd like to hear what thoughts you might have on what exactly it is about using our voice to sing that distinguishes it from other forms of worship.
Why not simply speak hymns as opposed to singing them?How would that be any different? -
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord....
The only singing that God is concerned with is the singing in our hearts:
Colossians 3:16 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. -
Once upon a time the morning stars themselves sang together.
I cannot imagine a world without music. It is one of the greatest gifts we have been given. Of course we should use it in praise to the Lord! -
How exactly do you speak a song, and how do you define singing in your heart?
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Music can be so many things to a person. It is soothing, it is joyful, it can be sad, to some I guess it can annoying, but to me, it is one of the most beautiful ways to praise the Lord and we can all join together to sing...
Bro Adam, sing softly the words to the hymns..you will receive so much joy when you sing praises to the Lord.
I was not blessed with a beautiful voice, but I still sing with a group. Yes, my music teacher would frown while I sang.
To me, nothing is more inspiring than a person singing one of our beautiful hymns and other music written for God's praise.
Everyone should have heard our music minister sing Moses.....He sang all three parts himself.. and when he finished, everyone who heard him knew the story of Moses and the conflict that Moses
had with following God. -
I am sure the phrase "singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" is simply an exhortation to sing audibly with grace in your hearts but you certainly have an interesting interpretation of the verse Aaron.Do we have anyone familiar with the Greek who can definatively shed some light on this?
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Music is like language. God doesn't need it, but we do.
Music was given to us for our good, our enjoyment, and our health. So, when we sing in church, it is really for our edification--not God's.
But like everything else God has given us, we can misuse or otherwise pervert it. A majority of Christians have a superstitious view of music. I was one of them about two years ago thinking that music somehow brings us into God's presence.
Thankfully, God has brought me out of that kind of thinking. I now know that music is of little value to God, and when used improperly in worship edifies the performer alone.
It's just like tongues. I believe that the guidelines for the use of tongues in worship apply to the use of music. It should be minimal, interpreted, and something that edifies all.
I think the custom of the Early Church in entirely avoiding musical instruments supports that view.
Now, to the question at hand: How exactly do you speak a song, and how do you define singing in your heart?
When one looks at Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16, he usually takes them as exhortations to sing in worship. But they're not. Paul is speaking of how Christians ought to behave in their day-to-day lives. I don't believe the meaning to be wholly literal. It's absurd to think that all our interaction on a day-to-day basis is in the forms of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs like some kind of Broadway musical.
I believe it to be literal and symbolic at the same time. The word "Psalm" means "to strike with the fingers." To speak in psalms means to "love in word and deed."
The word "hymn" is a Greek word for song of praise specifically to a "high" deity, like Zeus who lived above the earth. Not a "low" deity like Marsyas who lived on the earth. (Colossians and Ephesians were written to Greeks.) To speak in hymns means to have our thoughts on things in heaven, and not on things on the earth.
[ November 29, 2002, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Aaron ] -
Music is a language, but it's a universal one. It transcends spoken languages and people from one culture can appreciate and enjoy the offering from another culture through music.
So yes, it was made for man, but like everything else in God's creation, it was also made for the glory of God.
And although music cannot 'bring you into the presence of God' there is some music that can make you WANT to be there! And that's not such a bad thing!
Personally, I cannot imagine a life or service without it!
Abba was a thoroughly pagan group, but once in awhile they came through with something that would strike me with a "Yeah!"
"Thank you for the music
The songs I'm singing.
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing!"
Another singer wrote:
"Even the praise comes from you!"
And I'll tell you something: when my daughter was finally using her hand the other night banging out those old rhythms on her brother's drums, they were going up with my heart in total praise to the Lord. That was, indeed, a 'joyful noise.'
[ November 29, 2002, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: Helen ] -
[ November 30, 2002, 08:52 AM: Message edited by: Travelsong ] -
sorry, mispost
[ November 30, 2002, 08:42 AM: Message edited by: Travelsong ] -
Boy I stepped in it! Thought you were asking a legitimate question, but really it was just leading. :rolleyes:
Why don't you state your thoughts first and then I'll better know where you come from and how to answer you.
Your question was: -
was asked to sing solo...so low no one could hear me........then asked to sing tenor...10 or 12 miles away !!!!!! :eek: :D -
[ November 30, 2002, 07:44 PM: Message edited by: Travelsong ] -
tyndale1946 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I sing because I want to... stirs up the blood... vitalizes the body... just makes me happy!... If you don't like my singing put in ear plugs... btw I'm not singing for your benefit and enjoyment anyway... My singing has a higher purpose!... Brother Glen
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i guess we could sing for the same reason paul & silas sang in acts 16:25 in prison,but i prefer
doing the singing out side of prison myself.
[ November 30, 2002, 11:54 PM: Message edited by: wjrighter ]
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