“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:8-20 NIV
“The priests then withdrew from the Holy Place. All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions. All the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:
“He is good! His love endures forever!”
“Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 NIV
Throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, the Holy Scriptures of God are filled with the commandment to us to praise the Lord God, Lord of Hosts; to sing to Him songs about His great power, mercy, love and wonderful deeds! We are commanded to sacrifice praise to Him with our voices, with all of our instruments, with all musical gifts as part of God’s Holy Temple. This was often done together with prayer. The musicians in the Holy Temple were also the Priests. Music—the Spiritual Gift of Music—has always been considered by God as Holy unto Him, and we are commanded to use that gift for His Glory. He desires to be worshipped in this way by all of His Holy Congregations whenever they gather for convocation, prayer or service. He desires musical praise from the hearts of His people. In the end, all creation will sing His praises! Hallelujah!
“He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol [petition, speak], thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel: Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.
“That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner: Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced, you His servants, the descendants of Israel, His chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth.” 1 Chronicles 16:7-14 NIV
“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; His love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.” Ezra 3:10-11 NIV
“Praise the Lord! [Hallelujah!] Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty Heavens! Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness! Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings [stringed instruments] and pipe [horns, woodwinds], praise Him with the clash of cymbals [percussion, drums], praise Him with resounding cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord [sing]! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:1-6 NIV
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:1 NIV
“The living, the living—they praise You, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about Your faithfulness. The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the Temple of the Lord!” Isaiah 38:19-20 NIV
“God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him? Who has prescribed His ways for Him, or said to Him, ‘You have done wrong’? Remember to extol His work, which people have praised in song. All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar.” Job 36:22-25 NIV
When we give the Sacrifice of Praise to God, we are also providing a way for His Holy Spirit to unleash great power. He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). His power is displayed in the praises of His People. He has all power. He is God, the Lord of Hosts, God of Gods. When we sing, and make praises unto God, He acts for us as our Heavenly Father. He acts on our behalf to vanquish foes, to heal hearts, to protect from harm, and for our Salvation. He sets free the captives from bondage within themselves, and from the demons of addictions. He acts on our behalf for our good. Praising Him when things are tough, or when you are in need of His favor, is a powerful act of Faith. Our faith in God is exhibited in our praise from our hearts.
“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His Holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 NIV
“In all this [trials, troubles and tribulations] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV
“For in the Day of Trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent [Tabernacle] and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord [sacrifices of praise and worship]. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.” Psalm 27:5-7 NIV (This is a Psalm, or Song, of David.)
“I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior! The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music [David]. On my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:18-19 NIV
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13-14 NIV
“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 NIV
Singing to God can restore your soul, health, livelihood and mind. It can set you free from the bondages of depression, alcohol and drugs. We are not only commanded to give Him praise when we are joyful, but when we are in need, as well. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. The praises sung to God and Christ Jesus will not only save us, but will lift up the broken spirit, and restore a broken soul. We are commanded, gently, by our loving Father that when we are in trouble, when we are sick, when we are in low spirit, when our souls are tormented… praise Him! Sing Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Being chosen to lead worship for God in a congregation, as His chosen ministers on a worship team; is a very honorable, humbling, and life-transforming gift. It is not for everyone. I now know why God chooses the reluctant ones. I normally do not speak about my personal life experiences, but considering the times, I believe a small testimony of faith is in order. In June of 2023 God called my husband and I to a small local church congregation that was experiencing the embers of true Revival, and is on fire with the Holy Spirit. They also, unbeknownst to us, were in need of saints with God-given musical gifts. My husband has been playing guitar for over 40 years, but hasn’t played or recorded professionally, though he could. I have had formal choir and vocal training when I was younger, and later in college. However, I developed debilitating stage fright due to life-circumstances that would make me freeze up, render me unable to make sound. I had no confidence in my voice anymore. But God chose us, and put us on the platform with a wonderful band. We now know why, all these many years—even long before we were in love, we have been practicing music together. God has worked miracles through this gifting, and through His Holy Spirit.
God has literally transformed everything about our lives due to praising Him, above all. We have been humbled beyond words. We have learned so much in these six-months. God has transformed and matured our souls. We have drawn closer to God in ways unimaginable. We have drawn closer to our Christ Jesus. We have even drawn closer to each other. I have seen with my own eyes the miracles, and witnessed the power first-hand that true worship has.
There is power in praise. Praising God in a storm has incredible power. Having music and voices united in a chorus that sounds like an organ keyboard has power beyond words. I have seen the Heavens open up, and the Throne Room of God and the Son in front of my face. I know who it is we are doing this for. It is not fake. It is not entertainment, and the only “star” is Jesus. He is the Bright and Morning Star. That is what true heartfelt worship is all about.
“I will sing a new song to You, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre [like a modern guitar] I will make music to You, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers His servant David.” Psalm 144:9-10 NIV
Remember, God gives the gifts of music to His chosen, just as any gift of the Holy Spirit. Not all are musicians, but we are all called to sing His praises in all of the congregations and gatherings of the saints of Christ Jesus, and the peoples of God. *He wants to hear it.* He wants us to glorify His Son, and glorify what He has done. We are made a kingdom of priests and kings through Christ Jesus!
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day! Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples!” Psalm 96:1-3 NIV
“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare [Revelation 21:5]; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands [a reference to the lands of the scattered people of Israel, other ten tribes], and all who live in them. Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops.” Isaiah 42:9-11 NIV
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations. He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Psalm 98:1-3 NIV
“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre [like a modern guitar]. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” Psalm 33:1-3 NIV
“Praise the Lord! [Hallelujah!] Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His faithful people. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. Let His faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds!” Psalm 149:1-5 NIV
“And when he [the Lamb of God] had taken it [the Scroll], the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:8-10 NIV
“Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.” Revelation 14:1-3 NIV
There is something very special about this “new song” we will be singing. One of my fellow singers on the worship ministers team told me something quite profound recently. She said that the angels do not sing, they speak praise to God. Of course, we thought that must not be the case because we have always heard of the angels singing, right? In fact, they do not sing, they only speak praises to God. In fact, Lucifer was the Chief Ministering Angel of Music. When Lucifer fell, and became Satan, the angels no longer sang music. There is no longer singing in Heaven, only speaking. They are waiting for these who have been redeemed to come before the Throne of God and the Lamb, after it is all finished, to sing a new song. That is why the angels must marvel at us very flawed and puny humans, and what a spectacular gift that singing and making music in worship to God must be. So special is it that it is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible. We are repeatedly commanded to sing to Them praises, and make music for them on instruments, particularly stringed instruments. What God wants are the ministers of music leading the praise, and the congregation pouring their hearts out to God, ready to receive the Word of God.
“For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles [Deuteronomy 32:43]; I will sing the praises of Your name.” Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.” Romans 15:8-10 NIV
“Both the One who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing Your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in Him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given Me.” Hebrews 2:11-13 NIV
Dear pilgrims, dear brothers and sisters, dear children of God; it is not the “traditions of men” to have music in churches or in synagogues. It does not detract from the worship and focus of God to have a worship team, or have a song service before the message. Rather, it sets the tone and the true focus on God and Christ Jesus, breaking up the fallow ground of our hearts to receive the seed, the word of God. A service that opens with songs of praise is set for true worship and a listening ear, and it encourages a heart ready to receive. It also may be the only “word” a person hears, and that then leads to their life-changing salvation. That is why Satan wants it to be done away with, or corrupted. This is what God Himself commanded of us. He wants us to praise Him with song, with all instruments, and with all of our hearts, souls, and minds; in large congregations, small churches, large stadiums, or living rooms. That is what God wants, because it pleases Him.
God inhabits the praises of His people. There is the tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit when praise is lifted to God. When His people gather together to sing to Him, it is the sweetest sound one can ever hear. All voices join in joyous harmony, great and small, young and old, for nothing else other than to praise His name. That is something missing in this world today, even discouraged by other Christians, labeling it all as “emotionalism” or “entertainment.” They throw the baby out with the bathwater because of corruption. We need to wake up! We need to start praising God the way He wants us to do, as a whole. That is when true revival will come. That is when the Latter Rain will start to fall. That is when the Fire of the Holy Spirit will come ignite hearts and minds. That is when the captives will be set free from their bondages of empty sinful lifestyles, alcohol, depression and drugs. That is why we should not forsake the gathering of the people together in churches, in family love and in unity. This is why we cannot go it alone, especially in these last days. The internet churches may not always be here. What God is looking for is that Holy Spirit praise that He can inhabit; all voices and instruments joined in unison, like we will with that great Holy Band and Choir of Angels in Heaven on that Great Day. We will join them one day to sing that New Song unto Him. Until then, awake sleeper! Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, for He has done marvelous things! Amen!
Illustration: The Redeemed Gathered to Worship the Lamb (from “The Watchtower Bible”)
A Pilgrimage Into God's Word 