For 160 years, the Free Church of Scotland has not allowed hymns or any instrumental music to be played or sung in their public worship. In 1843, the Free Church split from the Presbyterian Church of Scotland; and ever since, the Free Church has allowed only psalms to be sung—and only to be sung a cappella. However, a vote in an upcoming assembly for the entire denomination might allow hymns and instrumentation to be added to the worship mix.
At this historic gathering, the Free Church of Scotland will be taking Psalm 96:1 quite literally: “Sing a new song to the Lord!” For the psalmist (and for all of Israel for whom the psalmbook of prayers and songs was written), singing was a way of prayer. These psalms were songs directed toward God, thus prayer. “Sing to the Lord,” says the psalmist, “praise His name” (Psalm 96:2).
The Psalms are a collection of prayers primarily intended for God’s people to sing together. While private prayer is necessary and good, having the entire community lift their voices in unison to God is just as necessary and good.
Part of the beauty of this collective prayer is that it expresses the vibrant, creative life God is actively nourishing within His people. This is a “new song,” an “alive” song, a generative, blossoming, joy-filled song (Psalm 96:1). God is not distant. God is present now, active now, stirring up new things. The community’s singing of prayers announces God’s actions to the whole world. The Psalms allow us to “proclaim the good news that [God] saves” and to “publish [God’s] glorious deeds among the nations” (Psalm 96:2-3).
We sing because our prayer-songs express our deepest joy, and we want others to hear and then sing along. Let’s teach the world to truly sing.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 21:1-24
More:
Read Ephesians 5:15-20. What role does music play in this teaching? What is the singing in opposition to—and what is it in harmony with?
Next:
What does the act of singing evoke in you, and how does this inform your understanding of prayer? Where in your life should you be singing and praying?
jimgroberts on September 7, 2011 at 5:03 am
In Holland where I live We have also a denomination that does not sing or have instrument and another that sings hymns acapello. It is so noticeable that there is no joy in the faces of the members of those churches. In one there is also a high rate of suicide because of lack of self-worth. It has amazed me that these are bible believing groups and yet have not seen the significance through revelations that in heaven singing and music is part and parcel of being in the presence of God. “He inhabits the praises of His people. At home I have praise & worship music in the background 24 hours a day. This keeps my eyes on the Lord and the enemy at bay. People cannot understand why I am so joyful. I remember and keep in my heart what the Lord has done for me & I break out in song. “The Joy of the Lord is my Strength”
tim gustafson on September 7, 2011 at 7:40 am
It is interesting to me what Christians will fight over. Scripture says nothing about music, other than “Praise God with it.” Thanks, Winn, for this good reminder about the real intent of the Psalms — not to divide us, but to bring us together to praise God.
GChoo on September 7, 2011 at 1:23 pm
The church that i am attending believes in worshipping God through singing besides preaching His Word. And i am a true believer of praise and worship. I have worshipped in traditional churches who keep their feelings in their hearts without any show of emotion even when singing a joyful song . Although the sermons were encouraging but i didn’t seem to grow very much spiritually. When i started to dwell into praise and worship, it enables me to just focus on God, to be in His Holy place, giving my praise and thanksgiving to Him. And to express my love for Him for His blessings over me and my family. At the same time, it frees me from my problems (health, family, friends or work) and helps me to bring them to the Lord. Singing to our heavenly Father enables my soul and mind to be refreshed, renewed and to be transformed because i am reminded of God’s greatness and unfailing love. This kind of worship allows me to express my love and gratitude for all that God has done for me and for who He is, our Sovereign God.
Winn, thanks for affirming my thoughts about how singing to our Heavenly Father can produce so much positive outcome to my life.
Jimgroberts, you are right. Praising God through singing definitely brings joy to my heart whatever my life situation is.
winn collier on September 7, 2011 at 2:22 pm
you seem like a joyful person; I bet it shows in your music
daisymarygoldr on September 7, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Good thoughts GChoo and I agree with you! Singing enables me to express my love to God and demonstrates the deepest desire and passion that I have only for Him. For mere mortals, our “sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.” Not so with the song God gives us. His song fills us with joy and lifts our hearts above our troubles because—God Himself is the inspiration of His song.
And this is why every time we sing, we sing a new song to the Lord. The song is new not because there is something new about the lyrics and music. Whether it was sung in the beginning of creation or it will be sung around the throne of God, the song is the same—from eternity to eternity. The newness of the song is in experiencing God anew—to know His goodness, grace, mercy and love which He has shown us in Jesus Christ.
And so, though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, though I am in captivity and in a foreign land, though my body is riddled with disease, my heart sighs and there are tears in my eyes, yet I will keep singing joyful praise to God—at all times and in everything—with instrument and even without it.
God put a new song in my mouth (Psalm 40:3), and that song is Jesus Christ. How can I keep Him quite and not sing…? Yes, singing is a way of prayer. Hence, I always pour out my prayers in Jesus’ name… because I am unworthy but He is perfectly worthy—the Lamb of God who deserves all honor, glory and blessing—both now and forever. Thanks Winn Collier for the reminder to teach the world to truly sing!