Difference between revisions of "Singing"

<p> From ancient times to the present, singing has been used as a form of relaxation or amusement (&nbsp;2 Samuel 19:35; &nbsp;Amos 6:4-5), an expression of joy (&nbsp;Proverbs 29:6; &nbsp;Isaiah 16:10; &nbsp;James 5:13), a form of celebration (&nbsp;Judges 5:1-2; &nbsp;1 Samuel 21:11), and a means of praising God (&nbsp;Exodus 15:1; &nbsp;Psalms 30:4; &nbsp;Psalms 66:4; &nbsp;Psalms 95:1-3; &nbsp;Acts 16:25; &nbsp;Revelation 5:9; &nbsp;Revelation 15:3). Singing has often been associated with music and dancing (&nbsp;Genesis 31:27; &nbsp;Exodus 15:20-21; &nbsp;Isaiah 5:12; see [[Dancing]] ; [[Music]] ). </p> <p> In the temple worship that David organized, there were groups of singers who sang under a conductor to the accompaniment of music (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:16; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 15:22). This arrangement was followed by some of Israel’s later leaders (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 29:30; &nbsp;Ezra 3:10-11). The psalms that these singers sang were sometimes divided into parts that individuals or sections of the choir sang in turn (&nbsp;Ezra 3:11; Psalms 118; see [[Psalms, Book Of]] ) </p> <p> Singing is an important part of the life of the church (&nbsp;1 Corinthians 14:26; cf. &nbsp;Mark 14:26). It should be an expression of praise to God that arises from a heart filled with joy and thanks. However, the songs must be based firmly on the Word of God, and people must sing them with understanding, not just with a feeling of enjoyment. Only in this way will God be truly praised and the singers be truly built up in their Christian faith (&nbsp;1 Corinthians 14:15; &nbsp;Ephesians 5:19; &nbsp;Colossians 3:16). </p> <p> In the early church, songs were an important means of summarizing Christian truth in a form that could be easily remembered and repeated. The New Testament contains what appear to be selections from early Christian songs (&nbsp;Philippians 2:6-11; &nbsp;Colossians 1:15-20; &nbsp;1 Timothy 3:16; cf. also &nbsp;Luke 1:46-55; &nbsp;Luke 1:68-79; &nbsp;Luke 2:14; &nbsp;Luke 2:29-32; &nbsp;Revelation 4:11; &nbsp;Revelation 5:9-10; &nbsp;Revelation 11:17-18; &nbsp;Revelation 15:3-4.) </p>