Biblia

386. COL 3:16. ON SINGING THE PRAISES OF GOD

386. COL 3:16. ON SINGING THE PRAISES OF GOD

Col_3:16. On Singing the Praises of God

PART I

"Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col_3:16

We are led by the text to consider that delightful part of holy worship, singing the praises of God. This exercise is of very ancient use. We find Moses singing a song of triumph and praise to God, after the deliverance from Egypt, and the overthrow of Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; Exo_15:1. And the Old Testament is full of the subject of singing praises to God. This exercise was not abrogated when the ceremonies of the legal dispensation terminated; for we find the same delightful theme intersecting the holy pages of the New Testament; and the text is an authoritative command, and contains, therefore, the will of Christ on this subject.

I. Let us glance at the Subjects of Public Singing.

Here, the text gives us an express specification. "Psa. s, hymns, and spiritual songs." Psa. s, perhaps, have reference to the odes of David chiefly, or may refer to subjects of adoration and praise. Hymns, perhaps, refer to compositions expressing desires and confidence in God, &c. Spiritual songs refer to signal deliverances, as that of Moses, of Deborah. Judg. v. &c. So also, those of Elizabeth and Mary, Luk_1:41, &c So of Zecharias, Luk_1:68, &c. Now mark,

(1) The restriction in the text. Psa. s, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. Nothing vain, frothy, and trifling. As Christ is to have the throne of the heart, so all our songs must be spiritual, and to his praise and glory.

(2) We ought to be careful what we sing. Hymn-makers have filled their compositions with party peculiarities, with sectarian tenets. Many compositions are unfit’97totally so, for singing. Hymns full of wrath; hymns concerning the miseries of hell, &c. Now, let us see that what we sing is according to divine truth, and is a fit theme for our holy songs.

(3) Now, let me say a word or two on the proper posture of the body in performing this exercise. Here, we have two things to direct us. The examples of Scripture. The Old Testament, 2Ch_20:19; in the New Testament the visions of John, as to the singing of heaven, Rev_7:9. Not a word in all the Holy Scriptures respecting sitting and singing Then, the impropriety of the posture. Is it reverent to sit? Is it not too familiar? Would we do so with an earthly monarch? Is it a natural posture? Now, I leave it to your serious consideration. Observe,

II. The Spirit in which this Exercise should be conducted.

1. There must be the union of the heart with the voice.

Else it is vain hypocrisy; offensive to God; pompous mockery.

2. We must sing with spiritual understanding.

See 1Co_14:15. An intellectual act. Not with confusion. Not in ignorance, &c.

3. We must sing in faith.

"Without faith," &c. Believing the truths we express. Faith must be mixed with hearing, or we hear in vain. And with prayer, or we pray in vain. So also with praising God.

4. We must sing with grateful love. Love must fill the heart, and gratitude must express it. Singing is the lifting up of an affectionate and grateful heart to God.

5. We must sing with humility.

Pride and self-complacency will spoil any service; this, God views with divine contempt. Prayers of this kind are execrable to God. So praises; and, perhaps, there is no part of public worship where we are in greater danger. We may be proud of our science. Our voice, &c. Oh, how we should guard against this! God hates even a proud look. How we should cherish reverence, and awe, and deep humility before God.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS