Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16
"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007
 

SING, SING, SING!

Print the article

This entry was posted on 07-16-2008 and is filed under uncategorized.

Paul now moves from being filled with the Spirit to speaking to one another in song. The Message reads, "Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:19). How this passage ever became isolated and elevated in some church circles is beyond me. Nothing in the context indicates that Paul is giving instructions for structured singing in a Sunday morning assembly of the church. Rather, it is clear that these are basic instructions for daily Christian living (go clear back to Eph 4:17ff and see if this is not so).

Singing should be a part of our everyday Christian experience. Instead of singing worldly songs, we ought to be singing spiritual songs. Look at how the Amplified Version renders this verse: "Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments], and making melody with all your heart to the Lord." J. B. Phillips translates this as follows: "Express your joy in singing among yourselves." The other night three of my friends and I were returning from attending a baseball game. One of us started singing, "When all my trials and labors are o'er." We all joined in: "And I am safe on that beautiful shore. Just to be near the dear Lord I adore, will through the ages me glory for me." I think that is the tenor and tone of this admonition. Let us restore the practice of spontaneous singing and even singing to one another in our everyday Christian experience!

 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this entry
  • Trackbacks are closed for this entry.
Comments
    Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

    • 07-27-2008 Keith Lancaster wrote:
      I love the thought of spontaneous singing between Christians - singing about the most important relationship to those who are the only other ones who can understand such joy.

      It's also a joy to know you and your ministry.

      Keith L.

      Thanks, Keith! I appreciate your great ministry, too.
      Reply to this
    • 07-31-2008 Chris wrote:
      I don't have the "(and instrument)" part in my translation. Great thoughts though, and I agree with the concept of spontaneous song. Even moreso, christian song.

      Thanks for your response, Chris. The translation I quoted from is The Amplified New Testament (c) The Lockman Foundation, 1958 published by Zondervan. The words "and instruments" are bracketed. Words that are bracketed in the Amplified "contain justified clarifying words or comments not actually expressed in the immediate Greek text."

      Thank you for your kind words. Victor
      Reply to this
    Leave a comment

    Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.

     Enter the above security code (required)

     Name

     Email (will not be published)

     Website

    Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.



      
    Copyright . http://HONEYFROMTHEROCK.POEMINISTRIES.ORG. All rights reserved.