Why Do We Sing at Church?

The courthouse is packed with people — lawyers shuffling papers, defendants nervously fidgeting, and the jury anxiously taking their seats. Silence fills the room as the judge enters, gavel in hand. But instead of calling the court to order, the judge stands, clears his throat, and says, “If you could turn in your brief to page #6, we’ll be singing ‘I Fought the Law (And the Law Won)’ by the Crickets.”

That’s weird.

Professionals from around the globe fill the room with anticipation for the latest product launch. Rows of chairs faced a large screen, hungry to see the latest iteration of their favorite gadget. The lights dimmed, the CEO walked to the front, and grabbed the microphone. “Grab your product manuals and flip to page #826 where you’ll find the lyrics to ‘Take A Chance on Me’ by Abba, join me in song.”

That’s weird.

We could present similar scenarios for hospitals, restaurants, sports bars, classrooms, airports, and many more social gatherings where we do not gather and sing. And yet every Sunday morning across the globe people gather and sing songs — some modern and some ancient. And it’s not weird at all. Have you ever thought about how unusual this practice is? Are there any other social gatherings where you meet together and sing for about 15-20 minutes?

Why do we sing? The Bible gives us at least four reasons.

1. We Sing Because We Want To

One of my favorite episodes of the Andy Griffith Show is Barney and the Choir. In the episode, Barney, who cannot sing a lick, thinks he is the star of the choir. In order to preserve his feelings, they have to concoct a few wild plans to keep the choir afloat and Barney silent (but thinking he is still singing). They end up giving him a solo and making him think his new microphone requires very little output. Meanwhile they have the town’s best singer behind the screen filling in for Barney — who at this point is only lip syncing.

There is a line in that episode that makes me think of the Christian’s response to the gospel. When they try to get Barney to only speak and not sing he says, “Oh, it's no use, Andy. Can you tell a bird to talk? Can you tell a bird to just go chirp, chirp, chirp? No, Andy, I'm like a bird. I was born to sing.” Those who have been redeemed are like this. We sing.

In Exodus 15:1-2 the people have been delivered from the Egyptians and walked across the parted Red Sea. What is their first action? They sing. It wasn’t a pre-planned worship set; it was a natural outpouring of the heart. Christian joy is so deep that Paul and Silas are even found singing in prison. The simple answer to why Christians sing when we gather is that we like to do it.

2. We Sing Because God Says To

Singing usually comes from an overflow of joy in our hearts. But we can also be quite dull creatures. We also need God to command us to sing, so that it doesn’t slip out of our experience. God explicitly commands us to sing. In both the Old and New Testament, God directs us to sing as part of our worship and devotion.

Psalm 96:1-2, amongst a host of other psalms speaking similarly, calls us to “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!” This is not a suggestion. It is a command. And it is a command to everyone. All of creation should be brought into the joyous singing and worship of God our Creator. But the Christian has the added delight of being able to sing to our Redeemer.

God delights in our signing to him. One of my kids liked to make up songs when he was younger (he’s still making music). One of his favorites was a little tune called “Everything Is Better with a Mustache.” It didn’t have a ton of depth, not much technical precision, but it was the cutest thing in the world. We loved it. His song was our delight. In the same way, when we sing to the Lord with our hearts, He isn’t looking at technical perfection — but rather as an expression of our devotion.

This command to sing is carried over in the New Testament as well. In Ephesians 5:19-20 we are instructed to “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” Singing continued to be a vital part of the New Testament church. When they gathered, they sang. They sang because they wanted to and because God told them to. But they also sang for the sake of strengthening their community and their own walk with Christ.

3. We Sing Because It Strengthens Us

I first listened to “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice when I was nine years old. That was over thirty years ago. (I’ll let you do the research to find how much over thirty years). I’m not sure if this is to my honor or shame, but I can still “rap” every line of that song. And there are quite a few other songs from this era that I could spit out several bars on — but I won’t mention them, lest you be tempted to shun me.

Songs have a great power to them. A few years ago, I’d go on a monthly basis to the local nursing home and conduct a service. I would do my best to preach through a passage of Scripture, give it the passion it deserves, and hope to speak Jesus to these dear people. I’ll admit, though, that it was difficult. Most of the time I felt like I was preaching to glazed over eyes. Some of the people they would stroll in there would be in a semi-catatonic state. But once we started singing Amazing Grace the most astonishing thing happened — they started singing with passion I hadn’t seen elsewhere. Some of these people couldn’t remember their own name, but they remembered “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear…”

This is why we are told in Colossians 3 that this is part of “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs is one of the means by which the word of God goes deeply into our hearts. Our singing is a way of teaching and admonishing one another. It embeds the truth of the gospel in our hearts. I somehow have Vanilla Ice embedded in there — but now I have other precious truths which far more deeply inform and instruct my heart.

How many times have you been going through a difficult time and a song will come on the radio, or even in your own mind, and it will give you strength? Music is powerful. We sing for our strength. To strengthen ourselves and to strengthen one another.

4. We Sing Because It Helps Others

In Ephesians 5:19 Paul says that when we sing we are “addressing one another.” We each need the gospel rehearsed over and over and over again. When we sing to one another we are proclaiming Christ to them. In Hebrews 10:24-25 we are told to “stir up one another to love and good works,” and this happens in the context of meeting together. And when we meet together, we sing. This is why embodied worship is so important. Yes, you can hear the sermon all on your own through a podcast or online feed. But you cannot sing to one another.

Singing plays a role in building up the faith of others. This is also true for those who are not even yet believers. For someone visiting a church, unsure of where they fit in God’s story, our songs are a powerful testimony of what Christ has done in our life and what He can do in theirs. It, just like preaching, tells the story of who God is and what He accomplishes. Psalm 40:3 hints at this when David talks about this new song that is put in his mouth, and that his singing will lead to the singing of others. Worship has a tendency to spread. So, we sing because it helps others to also know God.

Singing Is Vital

Luther once said, “I am not satisfied with him who despises music, as all fanatics do; for music is an endowment and a gift of God, not a gift of men. It also drives away the devil and makes people cheerful; one forgets all anger, unchasteness, pride, and other vices. I place music next to theology and give it the highest praise.”

I agree. Singing as we gather might be a somewhat unique practice for Christians. But it is absolutely vital to what we do. It strengthens us and encourages others as our music reflects our theology. But really it’s just what we do. It’s something God commands and it’s something which comes naturally — or rather, supernaturally as we’ve been redeemed.

Why do you sing?  

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