Sermon On Celestial Voices

Anne Lamott, an American novelist and non-fiction writer once remarked: “Then the singing enveloped me. It was furry and resonant, coming from everyone’s very heart. There was no sense of performance or judgment, only that the music was breath and food.” 2 Chronicles 5:12-14 reminds us: “And all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”

There are many known medical benefits to singing, especially when we are praising God for everything in life. It can boost the performance of the lungs as we breathe in and out, sometimes with considerable exertion. It can provide a release from the pressures in life. It can reduce stress levels and improve our mental health. If we are suffering from physical or emotional pain, it can significantly help to reduce the symptoms. It can create a feel-good factor within us which can lift our spirits and provide an aura of contentment.

There is something celestial about a well-rehearsed and structured choir, especially in the ambience of a cathedral, singing in unison and perfect harmony, the voices can invoke comforting words from God within us. As a result, we may feel uprisen and, at the same time, at peace in our minds and bodies. Music has long been recognised to enhance the blood flow within a person which can elevate mood and reduce stress. Psalm 150:1-6 confirms: “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

Church choirs are often formulated to contribute and enhance the overall effect of a service. They may be charged with singing special anthems or psalms which would be difficult for the congregation to join in with. Perhaps to provide a musical back-up during communion or background cantations to supplement the themes of intercession. Revelation 14:3 states: “And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.”

Choirs can form a sense of unity within a church. If a choirmaster is proficient in his role with sound musical knowledge behind him, then the voices will come together in total splendour, achieving a truly melodic result. Colossians 3:16 reminds us: “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.” Choirs are known to encourage the less practised singers of the congregation to join in which they may be reluctant to do with the lesser-known hymns. Perhaps one of the most impressive roles of their presence, apart from the glamour of the attractive robes that they wear, is to embellish a descant to selected verses of a hymn which provides a sense of wonderment to the overall effect. Ephesians 5:19 confirms: “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”

In addition to prayer, singing is considered another form of communication with God. When words are difficult to find in times of adversity, hymns and songs can provide the answer. Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist once remarked: “Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” 1 Chronicles 6:31-32 states: “These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order.”

We can always open our hearts and voices to sing God’s praises with joy through hymns, the psalms and scripture. Even in times of sorrow, we can express our appreciation for the life of a loved one when normal words may feel insufficient. Jesus, Himself encouraged singing amongst his disciples. Matthew 26:30 confirms: “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”