”Sing to the Lord a new song, sing His praise from the end of the earth!”  (Isa. 42:10)

What I´m saying now is not to deliberately hurt anybody´s feelings.  It doesn´t hurt, however, to do some good thinking.  That´s what I challenge you to do.  And here is what I´ve been exercised about when it comes to singing.

When calling on a sick friend I do what I usually do.  I read some faith strengthening words from God´s word and I sing a couple of good hymns.  It´s so wonderful to have my sick friend sing with me.  Spiritual hymns are such a blessing and are often filled with the presence of God.

One friend said to me, “Why don´t you sing in a choir, you have such a good voice.”  I think I said something like this to her, “Singing belongs to all God´s people on the floor and not to some special groups on the platform.”  I´m really convinced of that, and I don´t yield ground.

We don´t have it so much in Denmark anymore, but in Norway you often in their newspaper announcements may read, “Song and music contributors will take part in the meeting.”  The idea is of course to make the announcement more interesting and attractive.

I do feel drawn to conferences with good Spirit filled preaching and teaching from the word of God.  And what a feast it is when such moments end the congregation singing together to the praise of the Lamb.  On the floor, mind you.  But I feel grieved and frustrated if such precious sessions conclude in some “charming” group entering the lit-up platform with their microphones and fluttering cords and fancy music instruments to “enrich” the meeting with their emotional numbers.  If the group is really blessed with good voices, let them be mingled with the those of the congregation!

I know my position is a very isolated one.  I sometimes ask my American friends, “Honestly, what´s the idea with that worship you´re announcing on your homepages?   I mean, you juggle with contemporary worship and  traditional worship – what´s the idea?”  The honest answer is of course to make the church event more attractive, especially to the youth.  It´s a platform show really – yes,  “to the glory of God”, some would piously contend.

Now I´ve hurt your religious feelings, haven´t I?  Some would even say to me, “You don´t like singing!”  But that´s not fair.  Singing is what God has put into our hearts and mouths.  “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…”  (Psa. 40:3).  We can´t have too much of that.

But let´s have the real thing.  Let´s be real worshippers!  Let the congregation sing as mighty sounding waters!  Open your precious hymn books!  Call on some sick individual and do it with him or her.  It´s well pleasing to God.  And it will do your own soul tremendously good!

-jn-

Febr. 2, 2010