Worship. In so much of the American Church, this means standing up, avoiding anyone else’s gaze, putting your hands on the pew in front of you, and singing. In some churches raising your hands in the air might be preferred. But how many Christians out there admit to participating in this because that’s just what you do? How many of us are guilty of “dialing it in”- of singing words while thinking of what’s for lunch? I love to sing, particularly to the Lord, but I’ve certainly sat down after “worship” with only a vague memory of the words I’d just sung. How much have our traditions dulled the praise in our hearts?

I have been a (very amateur) musician since 4^th grade and have music – from most genres – playing in my house at all times. My answer to the old “If you had to, would you choose to be blind or deaf?” question has always been blind. I realize not everyone’s soul is so deeply moved by melody, but that has only increased my desire to share why music fills my heart and invite you to listen to what fills yours.

A few verses from 1 Chronicles, of all places, started my thoughts swirling concerning the place of music in a Christian’s life. First Chronicles 15:16, 19-22 describes David and the Israelites bringing the ark of God into Jerusalem, at last. In preparation for this important journey…

Reading a selection of Psalms will certainly bring you much of the same language regarding music, but two things from the above passage stick out. One is that here, and in neighboring passages, an emphasis is placed on volume. This was not a solemn procession, but a loud, boisterous one. The Lord God was entering the royal city! What else could this moment evoke if not loud praise, music, and exuberant (I assume) dancing? The second thing I noticed is that people were chosen for their specific talents. I left 22 personal names out of the passage above – this loud playing was not a cacophony, especially because of what verse 22 tells us. A director of music (or, in our world, a worship leader) was chosen, not due to status or rank or even talent, but because he understood the music. That sure sounds like a spiritual gift to me.

Now, don’t get me wrong, no one is unqualified to sing loudly to the Lord. Zephaniah exhorts us in chapter 3, verses 14-15 of his book…

In addition, David writes in Psalm 33:1-2…

Why does singing and making melody to the Lord matter? Because, as those whose judgment and enemies “the Lord has cleared away,” our hearts should overflow with so much gratitude and joy that mere words are not enough to express it. The lyrics of an old, anonymous hymn express this truth far better than I ever could; it lays out the song of a grateful heart beautifully.

Songs in the night he giveth… songs of joy and love do not travel just one way. All Christians know that “we love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19), but I’m starting to see that we also sing because he planted song in our hearts to begin with. Singing praise or playing your instrument for God is not a mere duty. It is not something to simply tolerate during church. Not all of us play instruments or sing well. Only one of David’s musicians accompanying the ark had any kind of deep understanding of music. Zephaniah goes on to give us (3:16-17) the reason why each of us is still able to sing to the Lord.

Like our love for God, our songs are echoes of the songs he sings to us. I long for heaven not merely as an end to earthly toil and suffering, but because there the music will never cease. The book of Revelation, though often confusing and disturbing, also offers such stirring glimpses of heaven that my heart overflows not only with song, but with tears. I love that Revelation 19:6-7 again emphasizes that perfect praise to the Lord is loud.   

We have not yet joined the chorus of heaven, but we can still hear the strains of its music on earth. Next time you sing praise to the Lord, at home or at church or driving your car, consider the words of the following song. The angels in heaven already rejoice because the battle has already been won. Why not practice the song of heaven until we at last kneel before that throne?