The Reason Why We Sing

These are just study notes that I have been gathering up as I have been learning about praise and worship. I hope for those who have a heart to study the word of God will find pointers and a place to start their journey of learning.. . “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding”. Psalms 47:7.

May our Praise and Worship be filled with understanding.

Expressing our worship                                                                                                          

• Why We Sing

To sing means to utter sweet or melodious sound.

Singing in worship terms means rejoicing; thanksgiving; prayer; praise; worship of God

In The bible we have seen some songs being sung and the bible cites 

• Moses Exodus  15,  Numbers 21:17, Deuteronomy 32,  Revelations 15:3,
• Deborah Judges 5
• Hannah 1 Sam 2,
• David in 2 Samuel  22, and Psalms
• Mary Luke 1:46-55
• Zacharias Luke 1:68-79,
• The angels Luke 2:13
• Simeon Luke 2:29
• The redeemed Revelations 5:9; 19

“And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea”. Exodus 15:21

“And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order”. 1Chronicles 6:32

“And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD”. Psalms 27:6 

 “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints”. “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand” Psalms 149:1, 6

“And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high”. 2Chronicles 20:19

“But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble”. Psalms 59:16

“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being”. Psalms 104:33

“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also”.  1 Corinthians 14:15

“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms”. James 5:13

“Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations”. 1Chronicles 16:23-24

“Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it”: Numbers 21:17

“Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely”. Psalms 147:1

King David brought temple worship into Isreal and appointed levites to the life of worship and appointed several of the as singers and some musicians. Singers who appointed only to sing to the Lord day and night and they were led by  Asaph and his brothers

“And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night”. 1Chronicles 9:33

Further Reading: Psalms 7: 17; 9: 2; 13: 6; 18: 49; 21: 13; 27: 6; James 5: 13; Ex. 15: 1; Isaiah. 12: 5; 23: 16-19

There are different types of songs as  Colossians 3:16 mentions only 3 types of songs and it says, "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” So then what do they mean

1.      Psalms –

Are basically hymn of praise, they are first mentioned in the bible in relation to Moses celebration deliverance at Red Sea Exodus 15:1-17. Some say the song of Deborah in Judges 5 is a psalm as well

Psalms are verses directly from the Scriptures. The Psalms were the songbook for Israel and have always been sung by God's people throughout history.

Psalms were accompanied by instruments, the hymns were mainly vocal

2. Hymns –

A hymn is a song or ode in honor of God, to sing in praise or adoration.

Jesus sang hymns with His disciples according to Matthew 26:30.

In the jail “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God…”, Act 16:25

 
3. Spiritual Songs –. In the Scripture, this manifestation of worship is called the Song of the Lord.

"And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel." 2 Chronicles 29:27 (NKJV)

"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy” Psalm 33:3

 "He has put a new song in my mouth; Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints. Psalm 149:1

"And they sang a new song." Revelation 5:9  See also Psalm 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, Revelation 14:3.

So in conclusion one thing I noted was several scriptures mention this phenomenon

Psalms 27:6 says that sing praises ... `I will sing praise to my God ...” Psalms 104:33, it is good to sing praises unto our God Psalms 147:1, I will sing and give praise. Psalms 57:7

My Question to you is this if the bible is specific and pinpoint, when it says "sing praises" what does it mean is singing in itself praise or singing and praising different?

Since we are studying worship expressions I thought I would ask this.