Why Does Corporate Singing Matter?

In his article, “The Slow Death of Congregational Singing,” Michael Reiter describes a familiar scene while attending a worship convention:

I closed my eyes and listened to the singing. The song leaders with their microphones were clear and distinct. I could identify each of the several instruments accompanying the singers. But if you blocked out the ‘worship team’, all that was left around the building was a barely audible murmur. I opened my eyes and looked around. Most folk were either standing silently, not even making a pretense of singing, or were little engaged in the activity.                            

I turned to a friend next to me and commented, “No-one’s singing.” He looked at me as if I’d just observed that no one was flying. Of course they’re not singing; we haven’t really sung here for years. Whatever was happening that morning, it was most decidedly not congregational singing. In many churches, genuine, heartfelt congregational singing has been in its death throes for some years now. Surely, we should be concerned that we’ve allowed our congregational singing to come to this.

Have you ever found yourself in this position? Perhaps in a moment of observation, in the midst of the dimmed lights, rolling fog, thumping bass, and perfectly timed lighting effects, you noticed many church members weren’t actually singing. As well-crafted harmonies and guitar licks flowed from the speakers, the one thing missing was the sweet sound of the entire congregation, lifting their own voices in song. Has congregational singing really been left to die? And if so, why and how can we bring it back?

The Power of Singing

God has made His people a singing people. We are hard-wired to sing. From the Song of Moses (Deut. 32) to the Seven Hymns of Revelation (Rev. 4,5,7), the Bible is filled with the songs of God’s people. Three books of the Old Testament—Psalms, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations—are collections of songs.  In fact, music not only plays a vital role throughout Scripture, but is one of the few activities that we know creation carries out on earth, as well as in heaven. One day all believers will be gathered together, lifting our voices to sing “a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). Martin Luther once said, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” Throughout the Bible and all of history, we can see God’s people using the gift of music to praise and worship Him, the Giver of song. 

Because we have been created to sing, we also remember what we sing. Songs take Sunday truths into Monday. CJ Mahaney calls congregational singing “Take Home Theology,” because good songs end up as short, digestible, memorable summaries of important biblical truths. You may not drive home reciting the three main points of the pastor’s sermon, but you likely will be humming the hymns or singing the songs. Songs can truly preach and teach. It has been said that, during the Reformation, many of Martin Luther’s enemies feared his hymns more than the man himself. Singing truly has the power to transform our hearts and minds.  

Why is it Important? 

We see two parallel passages in the books of Colossians and Ephesians discussing the importance and centrality of singing in our worship. 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16)

“but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 3:19-21)

1. We Are Told To

Both of these verses are clear directives for the Christian. We should be singing together, giving thanks to God the Father, in the name of Jesus the Son, and through the power (filling) of the Holy Spirit. 

2. Builds Up Ourselves 

We are built up spiritually as the word of Christ dwells in us through our songs of praise. Singing grows our theology and our thankfulness, transforming both our minds and hearts.  

3. Builds Up Others 

Notice that our corporate singing is not just for ourselves, but so that we can teach and admonish “one another” as we “address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” Singing is not a solo event. Worship is not just a “me and God” scenario. The church’s time of corporate singing is an opportunity for believers to build each other up, providing encouragement, instruction, and a sense of unity not found anywhere else. 

4. Because It’s What Spirit-Filled People Do

There is really only one imperative in these passages and that is to “be filled with the Spirit.” As Spirit-filled people, we don’t view singing as a chore or labor, but an overflow of hearts set upon Jesus. We sing, not because we have to, but because we want to. John Piper sums it up well when he says, “the realities of God and Christ, creation and salvation, heaven and hell are so great that when they are known truly and felt duly, they demand more than discussion and analysis and description; they demand poetry and song and music. Singing is the Christian’s way of saying: God is so great that thinking will not suffice, there must be deep feeling; and talking will not suffice, there must be singing.” 

What Can We Do?

If only recapturing the importance of corporate singing was as easy as a couple simple tips. This revival truly requires strong church leaders to begin teaching the benefits and need for true congregational worship, worship pastors and leaders to humbly search out the Scriptures for guidance, and bold church members who will lift their voices in song, knowing that Christian singing begins in the hearts and not on the lips (Eph. 5:19). With that being said, here are some things to think about as we gather as a church and sing together:

1. Let it Out

Sing! Don’t mouth-along or mumble. Lift your voice and join your family in singing to your Heavenly Father. You will be singing in His presence in heaven, so you might as well start now. The Bible doesn’t say to make a beautiful noise to the Lord, only a “joyful noise” (Psalm 100).

2. Look Around

Pick your head up and look around the room. See the church joining together—young and old, black and white, new convert and seasoned believer—to all sing songs to our God. Enjoy the small foretaste of what our heavenly worship will one day be. 

3. Listen to Others

Don’t stop at looking. Listen to the voices being lifted up. The church is composed of many members that make up one body. This one body truly has one voice. So don’t simply listen to the band, the choir, or yourself. Take the time to hear the beauty of every voice joining together in worship. When we gather as the bride of Christ, we sings songs that set our sights on the love of God, anxiously awaiting our wedding song with the Groom.  

4. Lament, Give Thanks, and Celebrate

Sing all of the emotions. Corporate worship isn’t just a time for happy people singing happy songs. The Psalms give us great perspective on this reality. We see songs of lament, thanksgiving, and celebration. Our emotions don’t dictate the truth, but God’s truth speaks clearly to all our emotions. Bring your heart to worship so that the word of Christ may dwell richly, providing the sweet balm of the gospel to any situation. 

Now go and sing! “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” (Psalm 40:3a)