Have you ever had a song stuck in your head?
For me lately it is Roses by Andrew Ripp. (Never heard of it? It is on my playlist that I shared below)
Anyway, I am sure you have a song that is either stuck in your head or one that will be at some point this week! Isn't that kinda crazy? The power song has over us?
Recently I have been intrigued by song. Not a particular song but just the concept of song in general.
I have never met someone who doesn't like music in some capacity! Song is ALL around us. Think about it - parents use song to sing their babies to sleep, teachers use song as a means of learning and memorization, artists use song to evoke emotion and communicate a message. Our minds also have the power to cling to song for years - decades even!
I was at my grandma’s house the other day and I found an old music book in her spare bedroom. She quickly opened it up and recalled the songs that she used to play on the organ years ago! Then my mom and aunt chimed in on singing the songs that their dad (my grandpa) used to sing to them as children - some songs they hadn’t heard in close to 40 years!
You also have a memory of a song that you would be able to recall from your childhood, or maybe even a song that helped get you through a difficult season. Or maybe a song that reminds you of a time period, a person, a memory or a feeling.
Song is so amazing!
Is anyone else intrigued by the power of songs!?
To fully understand the power of song, let's focus on five major ways songs originated!
All five of these are actually found biblically! Song is all throughout the bible.
1. When you sing, you obey.
Singing isn’t an option in Scripture. God’s people are more than just invited to sing; we are commanded to sing. When we sing, we’re doing what God asks of us!
It’s a command! The word “sing” appears in the scriptures over 400 times and at least 50 are commands.
2. When you sing, you build up others and bring people together.
In Ephesians 5:19 it says: “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…”
Song was meant to build others up, to be sung to others and to build people up in the truth!
3. When you sing, you are spiritually strengthened for trial.
Oftentimes, we think only of singing when we’re happy and times are good, but singing bringing strength for trial comes out in Acts 16. Paul and Silas are unjustly imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel, and what do they do while they’re in prison? Sing! (Acts 16:25)
And this truth is confirmed in the lives of persecuted believers throughout history. Even in your suffering, we are shown the power of song in the bible, and the strength that song can provide!
4. When you sing, you welcome joy.
The first song that we have recorded in the Bible is found in Exodus 15. God divided the waters and allowed His people to walk through on dry ground. Shortly after that He destroyed the pursuing army. It is after this that the people praise God for his provision!
When we sing, we give thanks to the Lord! (Psalm 118)
Here is a sample of what the Psalms say about singing:
Psalms 5:11: “Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”
Psalms 9:2: “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
Psalms 51:14: “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.”
Psalms 59:16: “I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
Psalms 63:7: “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”
James 5:13 says “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
As you study Scripture, you’ll notice that sometimes singing gives birth to joy and sometimes joy gives birth to singing. But persistently in Scripture, joy, and singing are bound together. You can’t study one of those two biblical themes without encountering the other.
If you struggle for joy…sing! If you are joyful…sing! In God’s perfect design and understanding of the human condition, he has bound joy and singing together for his people.
5. When you sing, you glorify God.
Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5 bring this out simply but powerfully, telling us to sing “to God” and “to the Lord” because he is the object of our praise. Ephesians 5:19 says, “singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” It is to him and about him that we sing!
Singing has such a unique way of bringing your heart, soul, mind, and strength together to focus entirely and completely on God. In an age of distraction, singing grabs the attention of all our senses and focuses us on God.
In Revelation 7:9-10, the Apostle John describes a glimpse of eternity with a great multitude of people from every tribe, peoples, and languages singing before the Lamb, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Few believers understand the power of song. Worship is not just a “warm-up” to the sermon. Singing opens the way for an increase of the Holy Spirit’s overflow in us, as well as an unfolding of discernment regarding His will in our lives. It is by the creative capacity of speech and song given to us by God that man can use to glorify God to lead to lasting joy.
Song is a powerful instrument because it is so basic to the allegiance of your heart. Song is not the only means of worship, but it sure is a big component of it biblically speaking.
Singing has the power to change mood and harness a change of mindset. It has a powerful purpose that is not to be taken lightly.
That is why I have created a NEW hand-drawn apparel collection inspired by songs of TRUTH to cling to – Click HERE to save the playlist of songs!
Then stay turned for the new collection from Lovely Little Light launching soon to encourage you to walk in the light that is entirely inspired by these SONGS OF SPRING!
COLLECTION PRE-ORDERS OPEN: MARCH 20TH - 27TH at www.lovelylittlelight.com/spring
And use coupon code “SONG” for 20% off your purchase of $70 or more!
The collection sneak peek......
