I think singing must be very important to the Lord. As I glance through the concordance at the occurrence of the word ‘singing’ in the bible, it becomes clear that whenever anything eventful happens, when ever God acts, or is present with His people, there is singing. In heaven itself the singing must be wonderful and totally awesome as around the throne the twenty four Elders are singing, joined by millions upon millions of angels ‘singing loudly, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and glory and honour and praise.”’ I think God likes a song.
We know that there was singing at creation because one of the first questions that the Lord asked Job, when He spoke to him was, “ Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation ………..while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” Job 38:4-7. What an amazing moment that would have been. Then there were the angels at Jesus birth, singing joyfully to the Shepherds “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.” Luke 1:14, TPT.
Isaiah foretelling the wonders of the Salvation that was to come declares “The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my Salvation.” He also says to Israel ‘In that day you will say; “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name…………sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; Let this be known throughout all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” Isaiah 12:4-6.
The acts of God, are so often accompanied by joy and singing, because singing is such a wonderful gift that God has given mankind. We are made in such a way that singing benefits us not just spiritually, but also physically and emotionally. Singing, like laughter, will physically release the endorphins that can lift our mood. Singing, especially if we are singing praise or the truth about God, fills our minds and touches our emotions with uplifting thoughts and feelings.
We probably have no real idea what singing does for us and our world spiritually. We know, from the many, many exhortations in scripture, that singing blesses the heart of God, for example, Psalm 33:1-3, but what about the effect that it has on the spiritual atmosphere all around us. I have no doubt that, just as the Lord loves our singing , the devil hates it, and that while our singing attracts the angelic forces into our lives like a magnet, it also repels the darkness and the spiritual forces that serve ‘the prince of the power of the air’. Ephesians 2:2 NASB.
I believe singing also releases the spiritual life from deep within us, enabling it to flood our natural mind and emotions, which in turn releases revelation and insight, faith and trust. I even wonder if Jesus had singing in mind as part of what would release the ‘rivers of living water’ from our innermost being, about which He spoke on the last and great day of the feast. John 7:37-39. A few years ago I was feeling that, having been a Christian for going on fifty years, I had more or less reached a plateau in my spiritual life. Then Matt Redmond’s song ’10,000 Reasons’ echoed around the world, and I felt the Lord challenging me with the words ‘sing like never before, Oh my soul’. As I did that, and set my heart to sing and worship every day, I was amazed by the freshness with which revelation started coming to me, and old truths came alive like never before.
It’s probably not unconnected that many Christians, as well as non Christians, have found that during the Covid lockdowns, when churches were shut and corporate singing not allowed, anxiety levels have risen and faith levels dipped. The Bible is clear, singing is not just for when we are feeling happy, it also helps to raise our faith levels. Isaiah on several occasions encourages singing before the deliverance. For example ‘Sing O barren woman, you who never bore a child, burst into song, shout for joy…..’. Isaiah 54:1. ‘Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem….’. Isaiah 52:9.
Let us also not forget King Jehoshaphat who sent the singers out in front of his army when they were faced with overwhelming odds. 2 Chronicles 20:13-23. Needless to say they won a great victory that day. And then there is the time when Paul and Silas sing and pray in their prison cell and the earthquake comes, they are released and people saved. Acts 16:22-34. Singing is a powerful gift and a weapon. Clearly the devil would like to keep us silent, but remember that even if no song comes to mind when you are in a tight spot, we can also sing in the Spirit, or sing in tongues, so let us stay grateful for this wonderful gift. 1 Corinthians 14:15
Singing out our praise and worship can draw us into the presence of God like nothing else. So let us be continually thankful for this beautiful gift. I believe the more we can appreciate what an amazing thing God has given us in ‘singing’, the more determined we will be to use it, and the more, as we do, our faith will grow.
