Singing Faith Series

The song service that expresses the most about God, the Lord Jesus and opens the heart to enjoy the Holy Spirit’s presence is the one that has the holiness of God as the theme of its music, God’s Word as its song book and His statues for guidance in its songs. The song service of true character expresses, “The law of your mouth [O’ God] is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” (Psalm 119:72) Steve Camp wrote powerfully in his call of “Reformation in the Contemporary Christian Music Industry.” He writes, “Scripture speaks to all of life-therefore, our music may speak to the very aspect of living. However, it must be based upon and not contrary to God’s Word in principle, ethic, content and conduct.”

Those who put together the song service have a great responsibility because they are teaching and proclaiming, thus the worship leader must be a prayerful reader, studier and doer of God’s Word. They have these instructions in the New Testament, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16) And James gives them this warning, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) The fact is you can teach and learn a lot through songs, whether healthy or unhealthy doctrine. The character of the song service is to be that of healthy doctrine.

Transitional Sentence: The character of the song service is to be Biblically accurate and a faithful response to God involves a broad range of songs. Ephesians and Colossians tell us to speak to or admonish one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:20)

With “psalms” we are to sing songs that consist of short sentences expressing praise for the Lord’s character or actions. Many of our choruses fit into this category and they should be sung by all no matter what age and sung with the purpose of pleasing the Lord Jesus. At times when appropriate we are to sing psalms that express lament (Psalms 12; 44; 74; 79), confession (Psalm 51), of thanksgiving (Psalm 30; 66; 116; 138), of wisdom (Psalms 1; 37; 49; 119) as well as other types of psalms.

With “hymns” we are to proclaim the wonderful works of God. Many say a hymn is an anthem. A hymn can also be a proclamation of the promises and works of God.

We are to allow time for “spiritual songs” which are brought forth as the Holy Spirit moves upon the Lord’s congregation.

Transitional Sentence: The character of the song service is to be that of one that is worship unto the Lord in accordance to that which brings glory to God. Psalms 29:1-2 says, “Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD OF glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” (Spurgeon; Vernon McGee; The Expositors Bible Commentary; The Pulpit Commentary; Matthew Henry says that this verse can pertain the mighty men of power on this earth are to worship the Lord.)