Congregational Singing

Colossians 3:16

One of the most important aspects of public worship is the singing of hymns to the praise of our great God. Both congregational hymns and special music, provided by those who are gifted of the Lord with musical talents, inspire our hearts to worship, instruct and comfort us, and prepare the way for the preaching of the gospel.

The selection of our hymns must never be taken lightly. The singing itself must never be performed mechanically. And those who are called upon to lead the congregation in worship by special music must never do so without prayerful, thoughtful preparation. Every song is to be sung unto the Lord! And every song is to be an instrument of edification, instruction and admonition to one another!

It is therefore imperative that our songs be both doctrinally accurate and devotional. There is no place for sentimentality, emotionalism, or show in the worship of God. Our songs must not be songs of flattery to the flesh, but songs of praise to the triune God.

Certainly, it is proper to sing the Psalms; but they greatly err who would prohibit songs and hymns written since the completion of Holy Scripture (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). The Word of God plainly tells us what the proper subjects of our songs are:

            1. The Name of the Lord (Psalm 7:17).

            2. The Power of the Lord (Psalm 21:13).

            3. The Righteousness of God (Psalm 51:14).

            4. The Mercy of the Lord (Psalm 59:16).

            5. The Honor of Our God (Psalm 66:2).

            6. The Salvation of the Lord (Exodus 15:1-19).

            7. The Glories of Redemption (Revelation 5:9-14).

The list could be greatly lengthened; but you get the idea. Our songs should always be filled with the glorious attributes of our God and the wondrous works of his free grace in Christ. No song should ever be sung that is not a song of heartfelt prayer, praise and thanksgiving to the Lord our God, for the glory of his great name. The standard for our music is the Word of God, the theme is the work of God and the object is the glory of God.

Don Fortner

Listen to sermons at FreeGraceRadio.com