Old Testament Worship Theme: Singing

Worship

Worship is defined as “to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power.”

to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power

{{Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).}}

Singing

The musical voicing of praise to God. On account of God’s majesty and great acts of salvation singing was a regular part of the life of Israel and of the early church. In Israel musicians and singers were set aside solely for this purpose. The general purpose of singing in worship is to make a joyful noise in proclaiming the goodness of God for all that God had promised to do: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” (, English Standard Version)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

{Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).}

Singing in worship was rooted in the proclaiming of the righteousness of God, and singing during this period of time provides a standard for the instruments that were used during the early church, which has evolved throughout the modern worship experience:

English Standard Version Psalm 33

Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous!

Praise befits the upright.

2  Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;

make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

3  Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

Singing as part of worship served several key functions for the Israelites as the structure of worship was in the early stages. One of those purposes was to celebrate being delivered from the enemy and being delivered from sin. An example of singing that is a reflection of being delivered is found in when the Israelites returned from Babylon: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (, ESV). Within this passage is an example of singing being used for an expression of joy that God had allowed them to be freed from captivity and returned to their rightful place, according to God’s covenant agreement. Joy is defined as a “state of delight and well being that results from knowing and serving God.” Here the Israelites are celebrating the fact that they have been restored to a rightful relationship with God, and their joyful singing is based upon the grace that God had displayed.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return

and come to Zion with singing;

State of delight and well being that results from knowing and serving God.

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;

they shall obtain gladness and joy,

{{Robert J. Dean, “Joy,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 956.}}

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away

Singing was often experienced as an accompaniment to major events. One of those events that is witnessed in the Old Testament was celebration of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread: “... and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might to the Lord” (, ESV). As the Levites are singing, they are actually leading the people into a time of worshiping God as they brought forth their sacrifices to atone for sin.

and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might to the Lord.

Those appointed to lead worship in the Old Testament were relieved of other duties, as to be able to devote their time to leading the Israelites into worship in song throughout the day: “Now these, the singers, the heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites, were in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night” (, ESV). This demonstrates the importance of worship leaders and directors that are assigned to organize the worship through song within corporate worship today.

New Testament Sining

Now these, the singers, the heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites, were in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night.

Singing in the New Testament is rooted in being filled with the Holy Spirit, which leads to the expression of joy in all that is done. Paul encourages the Church to be filled with the Spirit throughout the day. Paul uses drunkenness as an example to express how one should be filled with the Spirit. Unlike being drunken with wine, the Spirit provides the believer with a high that sustains them in a never-ending manner. By this, Paul is encouraging the church to be filled with the Spirit as they express joy in all that God has done: “...giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (, ESV).

giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

The singing that is witnessed in the New Testament carried the same purpose from the Old Testament. There are numerous examples of singing that is in celebration, and even is witnessed during times of challenges for different individuals throughout the New Testament. One of the most common practices that is typically shared today from the New Testament is the singing of a song following the celebration of the Lord’s Supper: “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (, ESV). Another example of singing is observed with Paul and Silas in jail. Singing in this instance was used to deliver a message of salvation in which the jailer was converted based on the message that was delivered through song: “... and the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas” (, ESV).

And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.