THE JOY OF SINGING

He has put a NEW SONG in my mouth – Psalm 40:3

Besides smiles and laughter, SINGING is an important outward expression of inner JOY. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth SPEAKS, and also SINGS (Matt.12:34b; Ephe.5:18-19). Oh, that the Lord would fill our hearts with Joy and our mouths with songs! Having a melodious voice is not a prerequisite to singing. Also, you can sing no matter your circumstances. When things are merry, sing psalms (Jam.5:13). In times of trouble, follow the example of Paul and Silas: sing faith-inspired, prison-shaking songs. After being beaten and imprisoned, the dynamic duo prayed and sang praises to God, so loudly the prisoners heard them and God descended to deliver them (Acts 16:25-26).

Beloved, if you’re in tune with heaven, God will deposit new songs in your heart. There are yet songs in heaven, nudging to burst forth on earth through thirsty and hungry hearts. Yours can be such a heart, but you must keep it fixed on His Heart and regularly engage your lips. Singing is a vital part of the mission of the redeemed: “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and COME WITH SINGING unto Zion; and EVERLASTING JOY shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isa.51:11). Notice: singing often precedes gladness and joy! You need not “feel like singing.” By faith, begin to offer songs of praises and melodies unto the Lord. Stir up your spirit, sing hymns and sing in the spirit – in other tongues; and witness life spring forth from the wells of salvation.

That’s why singing is in order even at the funeral of a Christian, when eyes are wet with tears. Yet, death simply ushers the believer into the land of unimaginable glory and beauty where innumerable angelic and human voices blend in exultant praise, their hallelujahs filling heaven with inexpressible harmonies. There is an eternal beauty to singing: our singing on earth is but a rehearsal for our anticipation in heaven’s jubilant praise (Rev.5:8-14).