There’s an endless song, waiting to be sung
With the voice of ev’ry tribe, the sound of ev’ry tongue
When the bride of Christ, on that day of days
Brings with joy unto the Lamb a multitude of praise
Like the roar of mighty seas and rolls of thunder, hear His people sing
These are the lyrics for the first and second verses of a song the Worship Choir will be introducing to our congregation this Sunday, and it is interesting to me how the words bring to mind what I wrote about last week. I was saying that I have experienced over the years of my ministry in music and worship a shift in congregations toward leaving the singing on Sunday mornings to “the professionals.” We are getting further and further away from the “roar” of praise from the congregation that this song speaks of, and I do not believe that it pleases the Lord. Consider these Scriptures:
- “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” Exodus 15:2
- “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” Ps 95:1
- “Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.” Psalm 96:2
- “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music…” Psalm 98:4
- “Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints.” Psalm 149:1
- “…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit… “ Eph 5:19-20
We were created to sing God’s praises, and His Word commands us to do so! If it is not God’s will for His children to watch church, it cannot be right for His children to delegate the singing of His praises to a select few! The Word says “all the earth,” and you know very well what all means…!
As His children, we know instinctively that it pleases our heavenly Father when we obey Him. I think it brings Him extra pleasure when we are obedient in this particular area because we are doing the right thing for the right reason. That is why worship is so rewarding to a believer! I hope you are already experiencing this double blessing, but if you are not, this Sunday would be the perfect day to turn things around. You can obey! You can worship! You can sing! And your brothers and sisters in Christ will be right there with you, joining their hearts and voices with yours, all for the glory of God. Amen!
Careen
This week’s worship songs:
The Lord Almighty Reigns – Keith/Kristyn Getty
https://youtu.be/2TdEZXPuKOo?si=2HJ6ZlvCTM669bRP
Living Hope – Phil Wickham
https://youtu.be/9f2FXxDVO6w?si=6WCZrtvz9OAfJbcl
This week’s hymns:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – Sovereign Grace Music
https://youtu.be/VGAaRtkovZQ?si=ZwE1N3nW8eMYMyC5
Something About That Name – Don Moen
https://youtu.be/Be_-ZkdjXTI?si=GbYl1FGP60Dk6js2