Sing to Him
Singing is the music of nature. The Bible tells us that the mountains sing (Isaiah 55:12), the valleys sing (Psalm 65:13), the trees of the forest sing (1 Chronicles 16:33), and the sky is the music chamber for birds, where they chirp their melodies.
Singing is the music of sacred rituals. Augustine once mentioned that when he went to Milan, he attended church to hear people sing hymns, and he was so moved by the beautiful melodies that he wept with joy. Beza also admitted that when he first entered the church and heard everyone singing Psalm 91, he felt incomparable comfort, and later he indeed let this psalm dwell in his heart; the rabbis tell us that after celebrating the Passover, the Jews would sing Psalm 113 and the following five psalms; and after our Savior and His apostles partook of the blessed supper, they immediately sang a hymn of praise (Matthew 26:30).
Singing is the music of saints. They fulfill this duty: (1) with their greatest number (Psalm 149:1-2), (2) in their greatest difficulties (Isaiah 26:19), (3) with their greatest enthusiasm (Isaiah 42:10-11), (4) with their greatest salvation, (5) with their greatest abundance (Isaiah 65:14). In all these variations, singing has always been their established duty and joy. Indeed, God's holy people and servants should sing out their joy and praise to the Lord of hosts; every attribute of His can inspire them to compose songs.
Singing is the music of angels. Job tells us that "the morning stars sang together" (Job 38:7). As Pineda says, these "morning stars" are the angels, consistent with the interpretation of the Chaldeans, who call these morning stars aciem angelorum, that is, the angelic army. Moreover, when this heavenly host was sent to announce the birth of our dearest Jesus, they used this sublime duty to convey their message (Luke 2:13). They were αἰνούντες (ainountes), conveying their message through singing praise, the entire angelic host performing a musical feast. Furthermore, there is joyful music played by the multitude of angels in heaven, where they sing "Hallelujah" to the Most High and the Lamb seated on the throne (Revelation 5:11).
Singing is the music of heaven. The glorious saints and angels emphasize their praise through this means, harmonizing with their blessed state; this is also the music of the bride in her new home. The saints who once sang these psalms are now singing "Hallelujah" with a louder voice, expressing the joy of satisfaction they cannot fully express here; here they labor, feeling drowsy in their hearts, stuttering with their tongues; but in glory, these obstacles are removed, and there is no discordant sound to disturb their joyous celebration.
- John Wells, in Morning Exercises
Excerpted from "David's Treasury 2," page 250.