Don’t fall into the habit of singing. This is not some mundane, insignificant, ritualistic religious exercise! It can be more, and it must be more! This is our heartfelt expression of love, devotion, sacrifice, and education. We are bearing our hearts and souls to one another as we shout them forth from our hearts through our mouths. It is an outflow of those things we hold dear and precious. It is an overflow of sincerity and transparency. It is a song to consider. 

It is remarkable that God does not simply ask us to offer this part of ourselves to Him in worship but that He allows such demonstrations of raw feelings to be considered worship. Songs can uniquely capture the emotions behind a text or Biblical truth and turn them into a resolute proclamation of music. This should stir us to consider the message evoking such beautiful, melodic tones. Do you genuinely consider the songs that we sing? 

“He took my burdens all away, up to a brighter day; He gave me a song! A wonderful song!” Should He not be the very reason in hearts for melody? “There’s within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low; fear not I am with thee, peace be still, in all of life’s ebb and flows…” Consider, “Days are filled sorrow and care, hearts are lonely and drear…” BUT “Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary Cavalry!” How can you not want to shout that!? (“He Gave Me A Song,” here. “He Keeps Me Singing,” here. “Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary,” here.)

The theologically rich and challenging, and at the same time emotionally evoking, “I’m the one who shouted crucify, I’m the one who made His cross so high, I’m the one who stood and watched Him die… What have I done? I’m the one.” My sin indeed drove the nails. “Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, writhing in anguish and pain; tell of the grave where they laid Him, tell how He liveth again!” When you sing that line, are you not transported in thought back to that bloody hillside where the lone timber was laid? (“I’m the One,” here. “Tell Me the Story of Jesus,” here.)

The simplistic and even childlike still express lofty truths we need reminding of, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…” At what age do we cease to believe and relish in that truth? “They are weak, but He is strong,” as we gain in strength and human wisdom, we need that reminder more than ever! “Jesus loves me, He who died, Heaven’s gate to open wide…” Is that not the hope and longing of each disciple? Yet, that is a reality made real by Christ Himself. “Jesus take this heart of mine, make it pure and wholly Thine; Thou hast bled and died for me; I will henceforth live for Thee!” May that ever be our cry, our prayer, and our aim! I will genuinely and wholly live for Thee and Thee alone. (“Jesus Loves Me,” here.)

Don’t fall into the vicious cycle of habitual singing. Repetition is good as long as we are heartily considering the truth expressed. But when we trivialize or overly simplify the message and lose sight of the truth spoken, we have failed in our offering of song.