“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing…” Psalm 100:2
What is the value or worth of a song, a hymn, a Psalm, especially with regard to God? As is the matter of prayer, elements of which are praise, thanksgiving, and supplication, the Hymn and Spiritual Songs are a reflection of one’s knowledge of God. The song, or rather the content and expression of it by the mouths of individuals and groups, was a testimony of faith, as is every act and attitude of the believer towards God. But what does the song mean, and what is it to convey, first to God and then before men, as a testimony of who God is?
When David was preparing to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, there to “rest,” Scripture tells us that he spoke to “…the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be singers with instruments of musick, psalteries, and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.” (1 Chronicles 15:16) Here at this glorious event, when the Ark of the Covenant of the God of the whole earth was being brought into the city of Jerusalem, there was to be singing. Why? It is because of the joy associated with pleasing God first, for all knew that this act was well-pleasing to Him, and reflected the beauty, wonder, glory, justice, grace and mercy of God. That Ark was the symbol of God’s blessing upon the people, His eternal commitment to accomplish in their behalf all that He had promised. It was the Ark of His presence, declaring before the nation and the world, that God was present that day, and would be thereafter. The Ark was the declaration of His presence, specifically manifesting His eternal goodness and blessing. So, there was not only and primarily to be singing to please God for the joy that it was to Him, but also, it was the natural response of the people who knew something of this covenant keeping God, who was absolutely good, with no fault, unrighteousness, or injustice in Him. Singing was to be a testimony of faith, with joy, in the God who was absolutely worthy to receive it. It is for this reason that David, and other psalmists, would write many psalms, or songs, to be sung by the people. Those songs pointed the people’s heart, and the individual’s also, towards heaven, there expressing not only the backdrop of the realities of life on this earth, but the glory of God reigning over all. The song was a means of blessing, an act of faith, and a response to a knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God.
As to the power of the song, we find in Scripture the situation where Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, with the people, were facing an enemy, before whom Jehoshapht would pray, “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us: but our eyes are upon Thee.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) After the Lord had given an answer to Jehoshphat’s prayer, declaring that they should stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, there was still the sight of this multitude that could be disconcerting. It would be an act of faith, and in response to the goodess of the Lord according to His promise to deliver them, that singers were appointed. They would go out before the army, singing and praising the Lord, declaring: “Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth for ever.” It was when they began to sing and to praise, that the Lord set ambushes against the enemy, and they were smitten.
In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he writes of certain absolutes that are essential to communion and walking with God. One is the matter of being led by the peace of God, which is given by the Spirit. Another is receiving the abiding word of Christ. This peace and word of God are revealed to the heart in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, sung unto the Lord.
Dear Father, Fill us with joyful singing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.