“Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.” Psalm 47:6
Four times we are told to sing in this verse! Isn’t that great? Have you ever defined the word sing? The definition is: make musical sounds with the voice, especially words with a set tune. Musical sounds with the voice! I like that because in Psalms it says, “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” We can all sing! The best singing is grabbing a hymnal and going through all your favorites.
The trusting heart to Jesus clings,
Nor any ill forebodes,
But at the cross of Calv’ry, sings,
Praise God for lifted loads!
The first mention of the word sing in the Bible is in Exodus 15:1, “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” They were praising God for delivering them from the Israelites. I imagine a song of joy and gladness!
In I Chronicles 13:8, David and all the people were joyous and sang with all their might! “And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.” They were excited because the Ark of the Covenant had been returned to them. Joy was in their singing.
He tells me of my Father’s love,
And never slumbering eye,
My everlasting king above
Will all my needs supply.
We can sing in anguish. II Chronicles 35 tells us about the good King Josiah and upon his death (vs. 25), the people lamented. “And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations…” Of course, we know that the Psalms are filled with verses about singing. We sing to praise God, we sing when we are in anguish. We sing in praise and thanksgiving to our God. Psalm 13:6 says, “I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
The passing days bring many cares,
Fear not, I hear Him say,
And when my fears are turned to prayers,
The burdens slip away.
Remember the book of Jeremiah? He didn’t have any converts and spent so much time in a prison that was the most awful of standards. Yet, here we find this verse! Jeremiah 20:13, “Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.” He had every reason to wallow in his misery and he didn’t!
When to the throne of grace I flee,
I find the promise true,
The mighty arms upholding me
Will bear my burdens too.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible has always been Colossians 3:16 which gives us freedom to do this, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Singing can be done anytime, anywhere and with anyone. Singing truly is worship to our God.
Singing I go along life’s road,
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,
Singing I go along life’s road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.
