Sing to the Lord!!!

"Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints and give thanks to his holy name." Psalm 30:4

"Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him..." Psalm 68:4

"Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!" Psalm 9:11

We were all born with a voice (at least most of us were). It is a ready-made, God-given instrument. Our voices are as different as our other physical attributes. Some voices can certainly be considered more pleasing than others.There are some with a high pitch and others with a low pitch. Some often have difficulty staying in tune like any "instrument."

One of the primary purposes of the voice is to Praise God...in song. We could have been created without voices and we would have learned other ways of communication as resourceful humans.
Everyone enjoys hearing a skilled singer. Some of the most well-known singers are not trained by voice teachers in breathing, placement, etc. These artists help us understand that singing is not just about "skill" but also message and personality. The wonderful thing about singing is that the beauty is in the "ear" of the beholder. This may be why the Bible does not require that we sing skillfully. It just instructs us to sing. If we are citizens of God's kingdom and want to be obedient to His word we are to SING!

We will not all necessarily sing a solo or be on a stage, but God's word is peppered with commands to sing. It is easy to say that because we are not great singers we will NEVER sing. In corporate worship, everyone can sing, even the "lesser skilled." Volume is not as important as the participation itself.

Singing and music have a special place in all our lives. God designed us that way! We learn better with music. Think of all the songs you learned as a child. Were it not for music, I would not know the fruit of the spirit, books of the Old and New Testaments. I remember learning the months of the year, days of the week, and geography from songs. They have stayed with me many years. I taught all four of my children to read with songs. Anyone can sing anytime or anywhere, sick or healthy, rich or poor. The human song is universal and timeless.

Science reinforces the idea of how amazing God's design for singing is. Singing capabilities are stored in the central, most protected part of the brain. That is why so many stroke victims and Alzheimer's patients, who have impaired speaking ability, can still remember songs they learned to sing when they were young. Singing utilizes both sides of the brain simultaneously, networking the left and right hemispheres. To place this ability deep inside of us shows the prominence of song in God's kingdom. Here is a great example:

Watch Henry here and be amazed...

I guess some might say, "You are a good singer and that is why you enjoy singing, but what about those of us who are not so good?"

My family loves to play basketball. Some of them are pretty good. I am a terrible basketball player and I don't LOVE to play. Sometimes they ask me to play. I am not any good, but because I love them I jump in and even risk some embarassment to do something for those who mean a lot to me. It is that way with singing. You don't have to be the best or even always enjoy it. God's word just says to do it. It is okay if you are not the next contestant on "The Voice."

Our love for God and thankfulness should drive our hearts to sing praises to Him...daily.
In God's Kingdom singing....is not optional.

Pam