Three Qualities Of A Congregational Song

Christians are singing people. Muslims don’t gather to sing. Neither do Hindus or Buddhists. Christians do. Also, while not everyone preaches, or leads in prayer, or publicly reads Scripture, we all sing. Congregational singing is the sound of a people saved by grace. After God saves his people by grace, they sing (Exod. 15; Acts 2; Rev. 15). In the New Covenant, what’s one way the Spirit leads us to godliness? By the church singing (Eph. 5:18-19). How do we know the rich Word of Christ dwells in us? By the church singing (Col. 3:16).

But what can we say about the nature of a corporate Christian song? What should it be like? Can we sing any kind of song when gathered together? The exercise of singing ought to be seriously considered in light of Scripture. And Psalm 96 offers some crucial perspectives regarding the nature of a right song and its effects. Originally written for the covenant people of God for the entry of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (see 1 Chr. 16), this Psalm offers us much regarding the practice of singing today. Here are a few insights.

1. A congregational song should be congregational

The preface to this Psalm says it is to be sung by both Asaph and his sons (1 Chr. 16:7). Christian singing is congregational at its core. Christian singing is not meant to highlight the talented few, but to include the voice of the many. Congregational singing is one people lifting our voice of praise as a testimony that we have been reconciled to God and to one another.

2. A congregational song should be focused on God

God is at the center of a Christian song. When God calls his people to sing, it is a qualified type of song. In Psalm 96:1, God says, “Sing to the Lord.” We are to sing to him, about him, and for him. We don’t sing merely as the world sings of created things, our song is elevated to the Uncreated One. The songs of the church proclaim the character, attributes, and ways of the God of our salvation.

3. A congregational song should be evangelistic

Psalm 96:2 says that our singing should “shew forth his salvation” and verse 3 says that our song should “declare his glory among the heathen.” Our singing is aimed at God, but it also rings in the ear of our neighbor. As we sing of the glory of God we understand that all have not seen his glory. As we sing of the goodness of the gospel, we realize that it is not good news to all. This is why the songs of our church must be fluent in the gospel.  If a lost person can sit through a song service at our church and not understand the good news any better than before he heard our songs, we’ve missed the point.

As the lead pastor, I am very involved in the planning of our weekly church services.  I won’t always get it right, but I am carefully and prayerfully selecting congregational songs that I believe fit these qualities. We have been blessed with a score of songs - old and new - that are God-focused, Gospel-centered, and can be sung by the entire church.  I hope you’ll gather this Sunday and sing every selected song with a spirit of worship and enthusiasm!

To help you, we’ve included a set list below of the congregational songs that will be sung this Lord’s Day.  Listen, Learn, and come ready to participate.  After all, this is what Christians do. We sing!