What Should We Sing?

The topic at hand: "Write a blog post on the topic of congregational singing and your view of the kinds of songs churches should sing. What makes a song congregational? How should you evaluate the quality of songs?"

Worshipping, singing, and gathering intentionally are necessary for the church body to remain unified and focused on the Lord. Specifically, though, the songs that the church sing bring about a highly debated topic within the Christian realm. Questions are pondered upon and argued about, but this contention is hardly useful. There must be a mature, rational, and biblical way to answer these questions, and that is what I seek to do today with Bible passages and helpful principles.

What Makes a Song Congregational and How Should you Evaluate the Quality of Songs?

There are common traditions that churches hold concerning their musical preferences. One older body tends to feel comfortable reading out of hymnals and singing a cappella reflectively. On the other end, the mega church with predominately middle-aged members enjoys loud instrumentation and bright lighting. Is either style inherently wrong? My humble answer would be: no, not in the least.

Culture plays an extensive role in the preferences of musical style. Matt Merker holds strong opinions in this area. Although I will not ratify each of his beliefs, I can appreciate some truths that he shares. First, in his book Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God's People, he presents the concept that churches "should sing biblical truth" (137). I find this statement to be powerful and influential to anyone desiring to worship Jesus in song. It holds true within Scripture; therefore, Merker's opinions mentioned after this are not necessary to debate against. He utilizes Colossians 3:16 to support his claim in the correct context.

"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, ESV).

As a side-note, the Bible does not offer exact instruction about who should decide which songs are acceptable for the church to sing together. In my opinion, this decision should be left up to each individual church. Some might prefer a worship leader to decide, and others may leave it up to the head pastor or elders. Guidance from the Holy Spirit and personal conviction contributes greatly to determine lyrical quality of songs, but Scriptural direction is also key.

Merker's next point is understandable and agreeable to an extent. He says to "prioritize the sound of the human voice" (141). The human voice is God-given and blessed, but we must not ignore the beauty of instruments that relate to different cultures. The Old and New Testament (largely the Old) present the use of various instruments that bring glory to God. Still, the church can take into consideration those who have been previously scarred, and humbly remove any stumbling blocks that music may bring about. Although Romans 14:13 relates to all foods being clean and the convictions that follow, it can apply as a principle to worship as well.

"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother" (Rom. 14:13).

Let us worship the Lord in singing, not judging one another according to a preference of style, but humbly praising God in unity. We can give up some of our stylistic preferences in order to bless those around us. Looking to Scripture for guidance can help church leaders navigate through each worship service and find a structure that pleases God. Biblical direction is found frequently in the psalms according to musical worship.

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre" (Ps. 92:1-3).

The Lord appreciates vocal worship, along with instrumentation, as seen in Psalm 92:1-3. He appreciates when his people exalt and thank him for his love and faithfulness. As found in multiple psalms and passages about worship, we first acknowledge characteristics of God, and then we may respond accordingly. Our response to his characteristics should be adoration and praise with a pure heart and mind. Psalm 100 is an example of perfect musical worship.

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations" (Ps. 100).