The Purpose Of Thanksgiving Series

Psalms were taken from the Old Testament psalter, the book of Psalms. They sang psalms put to music, much as we do today. Hymns were expressions of praise to God. It is thought that some portions of the New Testament (Such as Col. 1:15–20 and Phil. 2:6–11) were originally hymns sung in the early church. Spiritual songs emphasized testimony (cf. Rev. 5:9–10). They express in song what God has done for us.

To let the word of God control every aspect of our Christian expression, in particular the songs, etc. which we sing. Christian songs should therefore be purposeful; they should seek to teach and instruct, (teaching is imparting knowledge, while instructing promotes understanding). Christian music should all be based on Christ’s words, for nothing else compares with it (Mills, M. (1999). Colossians : A Study Guide to Paul’s epistle to the Saints at Colossae. Dallas: 3E Ministries.)

The singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs linked together suggests that the singing might be a means of mutual edification as well as a vehicle of praise to God. In 1 Cor. 14:26 Paul insists that, when Christians come to their meetings prepared with a psalm or any other spiritual exercise, they must have regard to the essential requirements of general helpfulness and good order. In our present passage, as in the closely similar Eph. 5:19, antiphonal praise or solo singing at church meetings is probably recommended.

Illustration: Pliny’s the younger’s reported to the Emperor Trajan (A.D. 111–112) of the way in which Christians in Bithynia met on a fixed day before dawn and “recited an antiphonal hymn to Christ as God” (Pliny, Epistles 10.96;) Tertullian’s description eighty or ninety years later of the Christian love-feast says that, “after water for the hands and lights have been brought in, each is invited to sing to God in the presence of the others from what he knows of the holy scriptures or from his own heart.”( Tertullian, Apology 39:18. Cf. p. 381, n. 62.)

• In sharing the Gospel and ourselves (1 Thes. 2:8) it means sharing our testimony, what God has done for us.

• This testimony is an offering of thanks to God.

Commentators are divided on whether chariti (thankfulness) should be translated “thankfulness” (As in the NIV and NASB) or “grace” (As in the KJV). Perhaps its use here encompasses both ideas: believers sing out of thankfulness for God’s grace. When Paul tells believers to sing in your hearts he does not mean not to sing with the voice. His concern is that the heart agree with the mouth (cf. Amos 5:23).

Before we casually stroll into God’s presence and presume to worship Him, He warns:

Psalm 66:18 [18]If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (ESV)

• The Gospel speaks of repentance before worship. If we do not agree with God we are sinners, needing His forgiveness, asking Him for it and forsaking sin, then worship is an affront to Him.

• Worship is for repentant believers, not unrepentant unbelievers.

Singing is to be directed to God as praise and worship offered to Him for His pleasure and glory. That it is edifying to believers is a byproduct of its main purpose.