Why do we sing in church? From early on, God’s people have always sung songs when we gather together for worship. The largest book of the Bible (Psalms) is a book of songs, each designated for a specific setting of approaching the temple to worship, personal devotion, Kingly coronation, or seasonal celebrations. Just like our hymns and carols we sing during certain seasons, so the Bible has songs to be sung by Israel during certain seasons. Even the early church worship services have been described as reading letters from the Apostles, singing songs, praying and sharing a meal together. The Church has produced some of the finest and famous music in the world; Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, and many more. During the Protestant Reformation, Luther brought congregational singing back to the Church. The Methodist church, led by John and Charles Wesley, gave us hymns that we still sing today. But why? Why does God command us to make a joyful noise and raise our voices?

There are many reasons, but I would like to focus on two specifically. First, hymns, songs, and spiritual songs, are sermons sung. We are reminding ourselves, proclaiming to others, and reinforcing with our voices sound doctrine, orthodox belief. Singing forms our hearts around what is true, using a beautiful method. Not everyone has voices that are angelic, but every Christian is commanded to join in with the angles voices proclaiming what is true about God. Singing worship songs in church is a teaching, forming, and proclaiming tool that God has given us to center our hearts on His beauty and majesty. Secondly, music brings us together in church. We sing as a congregation with one voice, all different pitches and tones, about what we proclaim as good, true and beautiful. There are not many settings of which people come together and sing in our culture. Perhaps big music venues, concerts, or family car rides. But in the history of the world songs were sung every night around camp fires, in pubs or villages. We do not have that as much in our fractioned, isolated culture. Yet, in church we gather together, with all our differences, and sing TOGETHER.

This Sunday we will begin the morning with worship at our normal time, and then come back together at the end of the Lord’s day and sing again. (The Westminster Confession of Faith Ch. 21 sec. 8 describes spending the day in worship) We will meet from 6:30 – 7:30, and we’ll share some ice cream Sundays afterwards. We will learn some new songs, and sing some old ones. All are invited to join and sing praises to God.

Rev. Ben Melli