Why do we sing at our worship services? Even if we don’t have very many voices? Even if our voices aren’t great? Possibly just because it’s what we grew up with—simply a habit.

But we have examples in scripture, including the example of Jesus. At the conclusion of the last supper, we read, “When they had sung a hymn, they went out.” Stated in a very matter-of-fact way. It was apparently normal for them.

In Hebrews 2:10-12 the writer quotes Psalm 22:22, which is clearly about Messiah. The writer tells us that Messiah says, “I will sing praise.” Similarly Paul quotes Psalm 18:49 in Romans 15:9, where again David speaks for Messiah, declaring that he sings.

If we need further precedent, we find first century believers singing, for example in Acts 16:25 and 1 Corinthians 14:15 & 26. More than precedent, we have very strong encouragement to sing—we might even say commands to sing—in Colossians 3:15-16, Ephesians 5:19, James 5:13.

There are of course gobs of examples in Psalms of singing and making music in service to God. There is praise in song, thanksgiving in song, lament in song, prayer in song—prayers for deliverance, for forgiveness, for comfort and more. It’s the same in the prophets, where much of the prophets’ message is conveyed in poetry, and was almost certainly sung, not spoken. We see it most definitely in the prophecy called the Song of Moses in Exodus 15. There’s another prophetic song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32.

Later on, we find that there was continual song in the Temple – day & night. (1 Chronicles 6:31-32, 9:33) Have you ever pictured it? All day, every day, and all night, every night, the sound of singing floating through the streets of Jerusalem.

Lots of songs, lots of singing—in worship, in praise, in prayer. As is only appropriate. In the words of Psalm 147:1 – “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.” Fitting, and also pleasant. For us, and apparently for God too. Our songs counted as offerings to our God.

Skipping to the end, there are several songs recorded for us in the Revelation. The songs offered to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, are still fitting and pleasant. Sometimes, we see and hear through John’s eyes and ears, that some group “says” a praise; maybe they are speaking in poetry, but much more likely they’re “saying” it in song. A few times we’re explicitly told it’s in song, in chapters 5, 14 and this one in 15:

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3-4)

This is our song. Our praise for the Almighty, for His deeds, His justice and faithfulness, His holiness. “Who will not fear and glorify your name?” Indeed. As the Psalm says, a song of praise is fitting. Who can hold back?

Get your Bible out and look at Revelation chapter 5, beginning at verse 6. We first hear a song from the four living creatures and the 24 elders. The song is then taken up by “myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands” of angels, and finally by every creature in heaven and earth. This is us! It’s our song! Who can hold back? With that immense multitude, we sing in honor of the Lamb who was slain and is worthy to reign over all. We sing glory to the Almighty God, the One who sits on the throne, to whom belong blessing and honor and glory and might, forever and ever!

Love, Paul