Don't Forget To Sing

Don't Forget To Sing
by Joel Howard

It has often been said that the Psalms serve for the believer as a "songbook for life". Whether we are sad or happy, in need or rejoicing, there is a Psalm waiting to aid us in articulating the depths of our human experience. The other morning, I was reading a Psalm with my wife during our devotions together. I glanced up to the heading and noticed, prompted by the Holy Spirit,
that the words were meant to be sung: "To the choirmaster. With stringed instruments." Imagine if you and I attempted to pass a week, a month or even a day without music. Imagine if our youth and children cited song lyrics to one another in spoken form only, void of the music, instrumentation or melody. I think we would find it difficult to manage without the music in it all.

A quick search on the internet as to the psychological, physiological and social benefits of singing yields several points in favor of this age-old practice. Singing is a complex activity that engages numerous areas of the brain, including those responsible for motor function, speech, emotion, and memory. But don't take my word for it. Let's take a quick look at ten instances
where music was and still is pivotal for the life of the believer:

1. David and Saul: David played music for Saul to soothe him when he was troubled by an evil
spirit (1 Samuel 16:23).
2. Temple Singing: David appointed Levites responsible for the musical service in the temple (1Chronicles 9:33, also 1 Chronicles 25:1 on musicians who "prophesied", and later use in 2
Chronicles 29:25–30).
3. Prophecy Required a Musician: The prophet Elisha requested a musician to play music
before he would prophesy (2 Kings 3:15).
4. Jehoshaphat's Army: King Jehoshaphat appointed singers to lead the army into battle (2 Chronicles 20:21–22).
5. "It is upright, a song is fitting": This sentiment of praise being appropriate is found in the Book of Psalms (Psalm 33:1, Psalm 147:1).
6. "The honor for all his godly ones": Psalm 149 calls for the saints to sing to the Lord as part of His battle and judgement plan (Psalm 149:9).
7. Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn: After the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples sang
a hymn before going to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26).
8. Paul and Silas sang: While imprisoned in Philippi, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25).
9. New Testament singing: Paul instructs believers on the practice of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).
10. Singing in Heaven: The Book of Revelation depicts singing and harps in heaven as part of
the worship of God (Revelation 5:8, Revelation 14:2–3).

If you are anything like me, the trials and battles of life often require a "fight" from the depths in me! In the pain and struggles of my past, God has always given me a song that has sustained and brought me through where being passive would have left me dead. To date, I have composed and recorded music for 115 of 150 of the Psalms in Scripture - All glory to God! The more I sing the Scriptures and the more I worship in and out of every season of my life, the more I realize that singing is more than just a hobby of mine - it is a mandate! Can I submit that
it also ought to be a regular practice for every believer?

As you start this new year, and as you navigate your place in these end time events, why not grab a song to help you on your way? Not sure where to start? Open the Psalms. Try praying (and singing!) this one for starters:
"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!"
and
"My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds." (Psalm 57:5, 7-11, ESV)

*Here is a link to 861 Scripture Songs for you to use and share as you sing:
https://www.connectedanduseful.com/p/861-bible-songs.html

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