Why do we sing?

Realigns our hearts and minds

Examples in scripture

Anchors us through our memories

Practical warfare - worship changes situations and atmospheres

1) Realigns us. When we enter into worship we leave everything at the altar. Our sickness, our jobs, our debt, our questions. We come together as one to PRAISE GOD. To DECLARE his goodness (to ourselves, to Cohoes, to the spiritual atmosphere) And sometimes his presence comes tangibly. Heaven meets earth.

2) Examples in scripture. The Bible contains over 400 references to singing.

Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart Ephesians 5:18-19

King David not only commanded it be done, appointing people to do so, but also created instruments that were designed for praise.

I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:29-30

3) Anchors us

We can have short memories when it comes to remembering the goodness of God. Singing engages our memory. The songs we sing can shape us and form us. Primarily because we remember them. They stick with us. Melodies stay in our minds while the sermon’s central point dissipates.

There are certain worship songs that our hearts particularly resonate with. We connect with the words or melody on a deeper, almost spiritual level.

Through joyful times and dark times these songs provide us with an anchor of hope. Life is hard and full of joy in other times.

The overflow of our emotion in these times seem to be more easily translated into song rather than just words. Consider blues music- the deep inner groaning and suffering of black slaves pouring their hearts into song.

Where words fail, music speaks - Hans Christian Anderson

4) Practical

It’s something we can do. Most of the time. Singing is our battle plan. Worship is the way we do war. We don’t face our giants and fight our battles in our own strength. Remember 2 Chronicles 20:1-29 where worship defeated an army!

There is practical power in lifting the name of Jesus up in public.

Our words have power.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening…

“…and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened”

Healings and prophetic words can be released when we worship

24 Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces. 25 Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span. Exodus 23:25

I know of numerous stories when people have been healed during worship. Nonone had prayer, but healing came

FAQ

Why do we sometimes repeat lines/choruses/bridges over and over?

That’s what’s happening in Heaven right?! ‘Holy Holy Holy’ over and over.

But sometimes as a worship leader I’ll have a sense to stay on a phrase or chorus. My gut says there’s something God wants to speak to us directly about. And sometimes we need to sing a phrase a bunch of times to get our hearts onboard with what our mouths are suggesting

Why Singing?

The Bible contains over 400 references to singing

Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (Ephesians 5:18-19).

King David not only commanded it be done, appointing people to do so, but also created instruments that were designed for praise.