Worship in Song
I don’t know if I have a favourite song… I mean, there are so many to pick from!
There are definitely tunes which I instinctively turn up the volume for on the radio. Like U2’s ‘All I want is You’, because it was Troy and my first dance on our wedding day, or ‘You are my Sunshine’, which I sang to my children when they were babies. I also love worshiping to ‘How Great Thou Art’ because of the rich lyrics, the powerful story behind it!
But a single favourite? Nope, I couldn’t pick just one. Do you have a favourite?
Do you think God has a favourite song? I don’t. I do, however, believe he loves when we worship him in song. More than that, the Bible repeatedly commands us to worship God in song. ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.’ (Col 3:16). ‘Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!’ (Ps 100:1-2). ‘Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,’ (Eph 5:19). ‘Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.’ (Jm 5:13).
I know many of us love to worship God in song. We come to Church ready to join our brothers and sisters in declaring the truths of God and our response to them. But I think there is a temptation for us to sometimes lapse into a trance when the music plays. Perhaps we even choose not to participate because it isn’t our favourite song, or because we don’t feel like it? To be honest friends, that’s unacceptable. God doesn’t have a favourite song, but he does have a command as to the posture of our hearts when we sing.
Colossians 3:16 says ‘…to sing with gratitude in your hearts.’ John 4:23b-24 says ‘…true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’
You and I were made to worship God, and one way that we do that is through song. The central function of the Church is to glorify and worship God through Jesus, and our attitude when we sing is important! The Bible clearly teaches us that God desires our worship, that he alone is worthy of it. When we worship we experience communion with God.
Singing is a way we can praise God for His goodness, love, mercy, beauty, truth, compassion, might, holiness- I could go on and on! Worship doesn’t just give God the glory He deserves, it also reminds one another of who He is. Worship testifies to what God has done and continues to do.
When we come and gather on Sundays I truly hope and pray that we come with the right posture as we worship Him. As you consider this, take a moment to reflect and pray on Psalm 100.
‘Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.’ (Ps 100:1-5)
Love & Grace,
Emma
