Why we Sing

We will often hear someone say, “I can’t sing,” meaning, “I don’t have a singing voice.”  Still others might say, “I don’t like to sing,”  or, “I don’t want to sing.”  It is sad to hear anyone say these things in regard to singing praise to God.

We live in a world where singing has become a professional practice.  Many are embarrassed by their singing voice because it doesn’t measure up to the professional level.  But singing praise to God is something we should all want to do.  It is in fact something we all need to do.  Why?  Because God wants us to.  And He doesn’t require a professional sounding voice.

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.  Ephesians 5:19.

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.  Colossians 3:16

Recently I read that singing changes the brain.  Some studies show that when we sing, our bodies release hormones that relieve anxiety and stress.  Other research indicates that when a group of people sings together, their heartbeats actually synchronize with each other.  Perhaps this would explain the Holy Spirit’s instruction to sing with grace in your heart.

More than fifty times the bible repeats the phrase “Sing praise.”  In II Chronicles 20 God’s people of Judah were demonstrating their trust in Him by singing as they were led into battle against the Ammonites and the Moabites.  As it turned out, these enemies of Judah had defeated each other.

If you want God to help you fight your battles, then begin to sing praise to Him.  You don’t need to have a professional voice.  You only need a humble and grateful heart.

from the desk of Jim Davis