Lesson Three                                                                                                                  October 10,

Tucson                                                          SINGING                                                            1998

 

I.          SINGING HAS BEEN AND WILL BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE WORSHIP OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

A.        Moses and the children of Israel sang to the Lord after they safely passed through the Red Sea. Exodus 15:1-2ff; 20-21.

B.         Moses taught the children of Israel a song when he turned the mantle of leadership over to Joshua. Deuteronomy 31:19-22, 30-32:44.

C.        Deborah and Barak sang praise to the Lord when they defeated the Canaanites. Judges 5:1-3ff.

D.        The women of Israel sang as Saul and David were returning home from the slaughter of the Philistines. 1 Samuel 18:6-7.

E.         David sang to the Lord on the day he was delivered from the hand of Saul and all his enemies. 2 Samuel 22:1-51.

F.         David taught the children of Israel the Song of the Bow as he lamented the death of Saul and Jonathan. 2 Samuel 1:17-18ff.

G.        David sang as he lamented over the grave of Abner. 2 Samuel 3:32-34.

H.        David added singing to worship before the tabernacle and in the temple. 1 Chronicles 6:31-32; 2 Chronicles 23:18. Certain Levites were assigned exclusively to this aspect of worship. 1 Chronicles 9:33ff.

I.          David and all Israel sang as they moved the ark from the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 13:7-8; 15:16.

J.          The Levites who were singers sang after the ark was brought into the temple. 2 Chronicles 5:11-14.

K.        The Psalms and the Song of Solomon were songs.

L.         Singers went out before the army as Jehoshaphat led the children of Israel into battle against Moab, Ammon, and others. 2 Chronicles 20:21-22.

M.        There was singing when Joash was crowned king. 2 Chronicles 23:11-13.

N.        There was singing when the foundation of the second temple was laid. Ezra 3:11.

O.        There was singing at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12:27.

P.         Jesus and the eleven sang a hymn after Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. Matthew 26:30.

Q.        Paul and Silas sang to God while they were in jail. Acts 16:25.

R.         There is singing in heaven. Revelation 5:8-13; 14:1-5; 15:1-4.

II.         SINGING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE WORSHIP OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

A.        Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16.

B.         Caveat: Since the New Testament authorizes singing as an act of worship, in this lesson we are going to look at everything the Bible has to say about singing. However, it is very important for us to remember that the New Testament does not authorize playing instrumental music as an act of worship. Since playing instrumental music was an authorized act of worship under the Old Testament, many Old Testament passages which speak of singing also speak of playing instrumental music. As we study such passages, we must remember that New Testament authorizes the former, not the latter.

III.       WHEN SHOULD THE CHILDREN OF GOD SING?

A.        Always. Psalm 104:33. We should sing without ceasing.

B.         Every day. Psalm 96:2. Morning and night. Psalm 92:1-2.

C.        In good times (James 5:13B) and in bad times (Acts 16:16-25).

IV.       WHERE SHOULD THE CHILDREN OF GOD SING?

A.        At home. Psalm 149:5-6A.

B.         In the assembly. Psalm 149:1; Hebrews 2:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:15.

C.        In public. Psalm 108:3; Acts 16:25.

 

V.        WHY SHOULD THE CHILDREN OF GOD SING?

A.        God says.

B.         For joy! Psalm 67:4A. Singing should naturally spring from hearts overflowing with joy because:

1.         God is so good. Psalm 135:1-3A.

2.         God is so good to us. Psalm 13:6. Especially spiritually. Psalm 51:14-15; Isaiah 44:22-23.

3.         The Lord is in our midst. Zechariah 2:10-11A.

4.         We are marching to Zion. Isaiah 35:8-10.

C.        Singing gives singers spiritual strength. Psalm 61:8.

D.        Singing gives other people spiritual strength. Psalm 40:3; Romans 15:9; Colossians 3:16.

E.         Singing is pleasant. Psalm 147:1.

VI.       TO WHOM SHOULD THE CHILDREN OF GOD SING?

A.        To the Lord. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16. We sing to worship God, not entertain Him.

B.         To other people.

1.         The saved. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12.

2.         The lost. Psalm 57:9; 96:1-3.

3.         To all generations. Psalm 89:1.

4.         We sing to teach and admonish other people, not entertain them.

C.        To ourselves. Ephesians 5:19.

VII.      WHAT SHOULD THE CHILDREN OF GOD SING?

A.        Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16. At best, it is difficult to differentiate between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. It may be that Paul chose to use these three synonyms not because they were in any way truly distinct, but rather as a rhetorical tool to emphasize the type of songs we should sing. We should not be singing “songs of the drunkard” (Psalm 69:12). Example: “I Got Friends In Low Places” by Garth Brooks.

B.         Songs of praise.

1.         Praise to the Lord. Judges 5:1-3; etc. In song, we should praise the Lord for His:

a.         Power. Psalm 21:13.

b.         Righteousness. Psalm 7:17.

c.         Goodness. Psalm 135:3A.

d.         Mercy. Psalm 59:16-17.

e.         Authority. Psalm 47:6-7A, 8A.  

f.          Truth. Psalm 57:9-10.

g.         Deeds. Psalm 66:2-3A; 98:1A.

h.         Judgment. Psalm 67:4.

i.          Faithfulness. Psalm 71:22.

j.          Greatness. Psalm 96:1-5.

k.         Loving-kindness. Psalm 138:1-2A.

l.          Etc.

2.         Praise for the beauty of holiness. 2 Chronicles 20:21.

C.        Songs of thanks to the Lord. Praise and thanksgiving are similar, yet distinct. 2 Chronicles 5:13.

D.        Songs which make known His deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105:1-2. Especially songs which proclaim the good news of His salvation. 1 Chronicles 16:23.

E.         Songs which are scriptures put to music. Psalm 119:54.

F.         Songs which are scriptural. Just because a song is in a songbook put out by members of the church does not mean that its lyrics are necessarily scriptural. We must test all things, even the songs in our songbooks.

VIII.     HOW SHOULD THE CHILDREN OF GOD SING? 1 Chronicles 25:7 NASB, “And their number who were trained in singing to the Lord, with their relatives, all who were skillful, [was] 288.”

A.        Gladly. 2 Chronicles 29:30. As with giving, so with singing. Not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful singer.

B.         With all our might. 1 Chronicles 13:8; Colossians 3:23.

C.        Loudly. Nehemiah 12:42B-43; Psalm 81:1. Relate experience at South College Road.

D.        From the heart. Matthew 15:8; Psalm 71:23; Ephesians 5:19.

E.         With the whole heart. Psalm 9:1-2.

F.         With understanding. Psalm 47:7.

G.        With righteousness. Amos 5:21-24; Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16. 

H.        With thanksgiving. Psalm 147:7A; Colossians 3:16 (“grace” is “thankfulness” in the NASB).  

I.          With resounding joy. 1 Chronicles 15:16.

J.          Understandably. 1 Corinthians 14:15, 26; Hebrews 2:12.

K.        As one. 2 Chronicles 5:13.

L.         Spontaneously (outside the assembly of the saints). Psalm 98:4.    

M.        It is important to note that no where in the Bible is the singing of God’s people judged on the basis of its external sound quality.

IX.       SONG LEADING.

A.        Song leading is a very important responsibility that must not be taken lightly. The song leader can’t necessarily make the song service, but he can certainly break the song service.

B.         Some keys to good song leading.

1.         The proper life. A man can’t be a good song leader, and another kind of person.

2.         The proper ability. Not everyone is capable of being an effective song leader. With instruction and practice, many can become effective song leaders. Some, however, may never become effective song leaders regardless of how much they know and practice. While there is certainly a need to give men an opportunity to lead so they can practice and become effective song leaders, there is also wisdom in using the most capable men most of the time. It is important to be patient and kind to men who are trying to become effective song leaders.

3.         The proper preparation. Song leaders should always be striving to improve themselves as song leaders through instruction and practice. Song leaders should plan the song service ahead of time and practice leading the songs they have chosen to lead. It is good, when possible, to choose songs which compliment the sermon.

4.         The proper songs. Song leaders need to choose songs that are scriptural, understandable, meaningful, and easy to sing. Song leaders need to keep the congregation in mind more than their personal preferences when choosing songs. 1 Corinthians 14:15-17, 26. Some song leaders, like some preachers, go way over their audiences head. Keep it simple! It is very important for a congregation to give its song leaders feedback, both positive and negative. Criticism should always be constructive and kind. Also, we must not forget the children.

5.         The proper pitch. Whenever possible, song leaders should use a pitch pipe.

6.         The proper preface. A brief and meaningful introduction helps the congregation focus its attention.

7.         The proper attitude. Song leaders should be sincerely enthusiastic.

8.         The proper command. The song leader must lead the congregation, not be led by the congregation. What makes a great song leader is not so much the quality of his voice or the technical precision of his skills, but his ability to take charge of a congregation and get it to sing out to its full potential.

9.         The proper tempo. Song leaders should carefully examine songs and choose a tempo that fits the song. This is especially needful for invitation songs. Example, “All Things Are Ready.” Song leaders should be careful not to assume that the tempos we have traditionally used to sing songs are always best. Also, when it comes to congregational singing, when in doubt as to the proper tempo it is usually better to err in favor of singing too fast than singing too slow.

10.       The proper duration. I like the fact that at South College Road we sing all the verses of our songs, but even then we sometimes don’t really get singing a song well until the song is almost over. Perhaps we need not be a little less rigid in this regard. Explain.

11.       The proper timing. Song leaders should begin the invitation hymn immediately after the invitation is extended. In order that all might hear him begin the invitation hymn, it is probably best for the song leader to sit towards the front of the auditorium.

CONCLUSION: Singing has been, will be, and is an important part of the worship of the children of God. We can do much to improve this facet of our worship life. But, it will not happen by accident. We must desire to be pleasing to God. Psalm 104:33-34A. We must act upon this desire. Psalm 57:7 (“steadfast” is “fixed” in the ASV). And, we must encourage others to do the same. Psalm 95:1-2. When it comes to singing, one of the best ways to do this is to set the best possible example.