One of the great commands given in the New Testament pertaining to worship is the command to sing. “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” (Colossians 3:16). The wisdom in this is seen in a variety of ways, especially in being able to echo the sentiments of the heart which we would not be able to express otherwise. Being able to collectively sing words of praise to the Lord shows the great amount of devotion God wants from His worshippers. Sometimes though, we can get stuck into a pattern of singing in which we aren't truly engaged. One of my favorite things to do when noticing this habit within myself is to reflect on the words which we so often sing. Reading the lyrics as a poem instead of a song reaps great benefits as I reflect upon what we are actually saying to the Lord. To illustrate this principle I have selected a song we often sing and posted it below:
Why did my Savior come to Earth and to the humble go? Why did He choose a lowly birth? Because He loved me so! Why did He drink the bitter cup of sorrow, pain and woe? Why on the cross be lifted up? Because He loved me so! And now He bids me look and live, His grace and pow’r to know; A home in glory He will give, because He loved me so! Till Jesus comes I’ll sing His praise and then to glory go, and reign with Him through endless days, Because He loved me so! He loved me so, He loved me so; He gave His precious life for me, for me, Because He loved me so. - John G. Dailey, pub.1892
Just reading these words, slowly and with feeling, imparts an emotion which should live within all of us. If we ever catch ourselves just going through the motions, or just singing some words in almost the right notes, let resolve to refocus our singing and give the Lord our hearts. Let us heed the warning of Isaiah 29:13-14, “Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”