Singing is an important part of the Christian assembly. Two different but similar passages address the subject – Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19. Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:18-20 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The one passage states “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” while the other states “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”. Notice that this singing is to one another. These passages do not specifically say that this singing is in the assembly, but what better place to sing to each other than in the assembly. One of the primary purposes for the singing is to speak to, teach and admonish one another – in other words, to build each other up and encourage each other. Congregational singing can do that. It is a special way that we speak to each other and encourage each other based upon our common faith and common mission in life.
Psalms are generally understood to be taken from the book of Psalms in the Bible. Hymns are songs of praise addressed to God. Spiritual songs are songs with a spiritual message. This covers a wide range of songs found in a typical “hymn book”.
While we sing to one another, we also sing to the Lord: “Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” and “making melody in your heart to the Lord”. Any thanksgiving or praise should be heartfelt and addressed to the Lord. Singing is one way we worship the Lord from our heart. Let us not be guilty of “going through the motions” and not paying attention to what we are singing. 1 Corinthians 14:15 “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” It is important that our singing be from the heart, with our spirit, and with understanding of what we are saying.
It is interesting to note that after the last supper, Jesus and His apostles sang together. Matthew 26:30 “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
No mention is made of choirs or performances by soloists or small groups. No mention is made of bands. The purposes are to encourage each other and worship God and not to be entertained by a performance.
You don’t have to wait for an assembly to sing. You can sing by yourself, maybe even in the shower! James 5:13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
Remember that you have a great opportunity to encourage your fellow Christian AND worship God with your singing.