Sing, Sing, Sing!

Everybody’s a singer, or at least a “wannabe” singer! Singing is a natural human expression. We sing happy songs, sad songs, love songs, songs that tell stories, songs that ask questions and songs that make statements.

The greatest singer in the Bible was King David. He’s known as the “sweet singer of Israel.” As a young man he sat on the hillsides of Judea, watching his father’s sheep. During those long days he often composed and sang songs, likely accompanied by his harp. This love for music continued throughout his life. Even as an old man, David was still singing!

While David’s songs were inspired by God, were incredibly articulate and inspirational, and have endured for millennia, he never sang for crowds. As far as we know, David received no applause for his music, he never had a recording contract, he never performed a public concert or received a standing ovation, and yet he kept singing. He sang for an audience of One! And He faithfully served the One he sang to and the One He sang about.

Many of David’s songs are recorded in the Bible’s book of Psalms. In David’s songbook we find declarations of victory, requests for comfort, cries of desperation and celebrations of praise. As you read through the psalms you’ll see that David often sang himself to new levels of faith and hope in God. His songs of worship kept him going and growing. Singing was a key to his spiritual life and strength. He kept songs of worship in his heart and on his lips. His worship was practiced faithfully in private before it ever became public.

David set an example for us.  He taught us to be singers, praisers, worshipers.  He commanded us to keep the right kind of song in our hearts and on our lips everyday:

Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Sing to the LORD; praise His name. Each day proclaim the good news that He saves. – Psalm 96:1, 2 (NLT)

Keeping songs of praise in our hearts and on our lips is a key to spiritual breakthroughs, daily joy and to living a life of contentment. Worship works wholeness in us. It demonstrates our trust in God. It declares our faith in the living God who is great, loving, and always available. Our songs of praise testify to God’s majesty and power, and they draw others to join in and sing along.

Never underestimate the power of a song — the right song. Ask God to put a melody in your heart and sing it out in praise to Him. It will release spiritual life in you and to others!

Dale O'Shields

For more information, visit the Church of the Redeemer's website.
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