Dr. Dan Hayden •
There is nothing like a song. Some of the highest paid people in the Christian community are those who sing our songs. Singing is a great gift from the Lord and a great encouragement to the soul.
One of the very moving experiences following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 was seeing the full Congress of the United States standing on the steps of the Capitol and singing, “God Bless America.” Tears of appreciation filled my eyes as I listened to the leaders of my country petition God in song. After that enormous tragedy our hearts were encouraged by singing. In tough times and in good times, songs express our feelings and communicate the deepest thoughts of our souls.
Now the Apostle Paul exhorts us to sing as an evidence of being filled with the Spirit of God. In Ephesians 5:19 he says, “Be filled with the Spirit…Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” You see, when the Holy Spirit is filling your soul, He gives you a song, and you want to sing.
The word “singing” is the general word for expressing words in song. But the thing to notice here is that this is a plural verb in the present tense.
In other words, the reference here is to corporate singing – when we join our voice with the voices of other Christians to praise the Lord. This isn’t solo singing or private singing. It’s congregational singing, and the present tense means that we are to do it continually. Do you look forward to congregational singing in your worship of the Lord? If you’re filled with the Spirit, you do! “Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”
Now you know the real meaning of the word. Say. I can’t sing a solo – people wouldn’t tolerate it. But with congregational singing, I sing my heart out!