Joel Littlefield

A Biblical Precedent

One of the most important roles that a Christian man can play in his church is to sing. Yes, that’s right. I’m not talking about being on the worship team. That takes a great amount of skill. I’m talking about a man who sings amid the families he gathers with every Sunday morning to worship the living God. When men of God sing, whether young, old, married, or single, they are doing what they were created to do.

There are many deterrents to this. The most obvious reason why a man may not sing in church is that he does not have a regenerated heart. I’m not saying that singing always proves salvation completely. Even an unregenerate man can be the loudest singer in the room if he chose to. Only God can see the heart.

When a man claims to walk in a relationship with Jesus, yet His mouth remains closed while the church is rejoicing in the God of Her salvation, one might question his sincerity. And that’s no good for anyone.

Did men of God sing in the Bible?

“Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. They said: I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; He has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.” (Exodus 15:1)

“Then King Hezekiah and the officials told the Levites to sing praise to the Lord in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with rejoicing and bowed down and worshiped.” (2 Chronicles 29:30)

We know David sang. He wrote the majority of what we know as the book of Psalms. Solomon, the wisest to ever live, contributed to holy Scripture with a book we call the “Song of Solomon.” There are plenty of New Testament examples as well. Remember Paul and Silas? “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25) Finally, consider Jesus. After he led His disciples in the Passover meal, we find these words recorded in Matthew. “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30)

If you’ve been waiting for some biblical precedent for singing in church, now you have it. Like everything else, we need the Lord’s help and guidance. Look to Christ’s example and lay your shame and embarrassment (or whatever other reasons you have) at His feet in worship.

Don’t Be Ashamed

“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation, I will sing your praise.” (Hebrews 2:12)

Jesus is not ashamed of you. At one time you were his enemy because of sin. Enemies become sons and heirs through the grace of the gospel. When you stand with the congregation this upcoming Lord’s Day, remember that Christ is your elder Brother and that He came to this earth to make this so, and declare to you the name of His Father.

Love The Congregation 

In His short ministry on Earth, Jesus left us many examples. One of those is to love the congregation. He sure did. He declared the truth of the Kingdom amid a congregation. What began as only twelve continued to grow as the message spread and more believed. He still stands in the congregation today through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Learn to love the congregation the way Christ did, and still does. This may help you to sing.

Now Sing!

Can you picture Jesus singing? I can. We are not to think of a man with His hands in His pockets; sluggish, unimpressed, or embarrassed to lift a chorus of truth to the Father. Think of a Leader. Think of a Savior and forerunner. That’s who He is. He came to be among His brothers, to make a family, and teach us to sing. What was the song? His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection spurs us on and encourages participation in a great gospel chorus.

In Closing

Your children, your wife, and your fellow members are affected by your participation, or lack thereof. I’m convinced that if Christian men in the local church would lift their voices in glorious praise to a glorious God, their hearts would begin to beat more fervently for Christ. After all, this is what we were created to do. This coming Lord’s Day, think of the One you are singing to, the One who deserves your song. Think of Christ, how He is not ashamed to sing amid His brothers. Sing, brothers, sing!

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