The Christian is placed in many different circumstances while on this earth. Some are characterized by hardships and trials, and others are full of joy and peace. How should the Christian respond? Throughout the Bible there are numerous times where God’s people sang in response to their various circumstances. Singing in response to God’s ordering of our lives is not only appropriate, but it should characterize God’s people (Eph. 5:18–20). Instead of the ugly sounds of complaint or entitlement coming out of our mouths, there should be beautiful lyrics and melodies that demonstrate that in every situation we acknowledge, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power” (Rev. 4:11). 

God commands his people to sing to him and about him. “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works” (Ps. 105:2). We are also commanded to sing joyfully when we come to worship God: “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Ps. 100:2). We are commanded to “sing unto the Lord a new song” (Ps. 98:1). Our singing should be a genuine, fresh expression of our hearts before God as the reality of God’s mercy and faithfulness overwhelms our souls once again. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22–23).  

Scripture also teaches us to sing along with musical instruments. There are many references in the Psalms that connect singing with musical instruments. Psalm 92:3 says, “Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.” Psalm 98:5–6 says, “Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.” Psalm 108:2–3 says, “Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.” When the ark was placed in the most holy place, the sound of the trumpets and the singers were as one voice in praising and thanking the Lord (2 Chron. 5:13).  

Scripture’s songs contain a wide range of content. Psalm 92:1–2 says, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” Psalm 96:2 says to “Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.” Psalm 101:1 says, “I will sing of mercy and judgment.” Moses, Deborah, and David sang about God’s wondrous works in their songs of victory over their enemies. Moses wrote a song that was a witness against the children of Israel for being a stubborn, stiff-necked people despite all that God had done for them. David sang a song of mourning when Saul and Jonathan died. He wrote a song of thanksgiving when the ark was brought into Jerusalem. Isaiah sang a parable comparing Judah to a vineyard. Ezekiel sang many songs of judgment on the wicked. In general, singing is appropriate for retelling the story of our redemption so future generations do not forget the works of God (Pss. 78; 105; 106; 136).  

A common theme in these songs is that they were sung by the congregation of Israel, or by a group of people. This is because God’s people are a body of many members, the church. God intends that we express that truth by coming together and praising him along with other members of the body. Singing together is a wonderful expression of the unity that we have with fellow saints. We are to “speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). We are also to bear one another’s burdens. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12:26). Singing should be a common mode of exhorting, encouraging, comforting, and rejoicing with one another as pilgrims in this weary life. “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” (Col. 3:16). 

This month we will focus on studying songs that are recorded in Scripture outside of the Psalms. We will consider the surrounding circumstances and the fitting response through song. Through our study, may we also find reason to sing in every circumstance of life. 

Rebekah is a wife and mother in the home. She attends Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, CA, with her family. 

 Originally published January 2023, Vol 82 No 1