Don't Sing Praises To God | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Don't Sing Praises To God

Amos 5:23 reads, "Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen."

388
Don't Sing Praises To God
Chad Kirchoff

Amos 5:23 (ESV) reads, "Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen."

But, why would God say that?

The only times in the Bible where God tells people not to sing praises to God is when people engage in horrible, unrepentant sin and praise Him sweetly with their lips as if they are not simultaneously hurling rancid dung at him and his commands with their actions.

Don’t get me wrong, no one is perfect. God’s mercies renew every morning, and asking for forgiveness is part of Jesus’ model prayer.

The difference is these people were not following God. Those whom Amos addressed took the clothes of their poor exploited workers as a pledge for repayment even though these workers could never repay the debt and would be left naked without these clothes.

To make it worse, these exploiters then used those clothes as blankets to sit on during praise and worship time, and they used their money from exploiting the poor to buy wine.

They were not following God’s truth.

To demonstrate, Amos also writes, they “hate the one who reproves in the gate (elders in the church) and they abhor the one who speaks the truth (anyone who tries to tell them God’s truth and way of living).”

What about people who follow God?

Now for those in Christ, who believe Him and are a new creation, a.k.a. the righteousness of God and those who live no longer for themselves but for him who died and was raised for them− we need to sing praises to God.

All too often, I find myself in congregations of people at church, campus ministries, conferences, and other times of praise and worship where many people just stand there and watch, mess with their phones, or remain disengaged somehow.

"Don't sing praises to God" seems to be stuck in their mindset for one reason or another.

Some don’t sing because they are physically unable, praying, overwhelmed by God, feel the words are not true about God or have some other valid reason not to sing. Power to them.

Others might think singing is boring, the music team isn’t the best, or they don’t believe they are good enough singers. They might think they only want to hear the message, or they might be texting about lunch. These are invalid reasons to not sing praise to God, and there are plenty more out there.

My experience

I used to be part of the latter group. My parents put me in children’s choir at an early age, and I dreaded going to it. I found it boring and unimportant, and I’d rather do other things with my time. I’d sing in church on Sundays or during performances out of compulsion but didn’t like it.

Once I got into middle school, I was out of that choir and kissed singing in church goodbye. Oh no!

Yet, one summer in middle school, I went to something called Student Life Camp. At this camp, we did all sorts of things dealing with recreation, group Bible study, and gathering for praise and worship.

Famous church leaders like Louise Giglio and Francis Chan would speak each night too along with bands like Skillet and David Crowder playing.

To cut to the point, I stood there and watched while others sang, thinking about other things, and wishing we could just get to the speakers because I felt bored out of my mind during the songs.

One of those nights midway through the week, my youth pastor, and some fellow students brought this up, not about me particularly, but about the fact that many people weren’t singing that night.

Although I cannot remember the specifics or the Scripture they referenced, I was convicted that I was doing wrong and persuaded that I should start singing.

Why should we sing?

The Bible contains over 400 references to singing and 50 direct commands to sing, so they had plenty to choose from.

For example, we're commanded twice in the New Testament to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16).

One verse that I feel most Christians are familiar with is Psalm 98:4. It reads, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” That means you, me, everything!

So, that week I started singing again, and I’ve never stopped!

I realized that singing with God connects us with God and other believers. Singing made and still makes me more aware of his goodness and presence, and there is so much we can sing about from songs of awe and reverence, to songs about grief or repentance, or even songs of joy and celebration.

Singing helps me emotionally connect with God’s word as well, and it helps me remember it as well. Singing about things in scripture has helped me remember God’s promises, His love, and so much more than I can recall because it’s in a song in good times and bad.

Singing to God became fun to me as well. After all, Psalm 147:1 reads,"Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming." It's pleasant and proper for us.

I urge you, therefore, to start singing praises to God. God commands us to sing not out of arbitrariness, but because it’s good for us in helping us celebrate and appreciate all he is and all he has done.

Singing enables us to remain aware of our wonderful, merciful, life-changing relationship with God and how he wants us to live. If you're already singing keep doing it. If not, try it out. You won't regret it!

In conclusion, please read and be encouraged by the lyrics of this song I recently performed with the NC State Chorale.

How Can I Keep from Singing?

My life flows on in endless song;

Above earth's lamentation,

I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn

That hails a new creation;

Thro' all the tumult and the strife

I hear the music ringing;

It finds an echo in my soul—

How can I keep from singing?

What tho' my joys and comforts die?

The Lord my Saviour liveth;

What tho' the darkness gather round?

Songs in the night he giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to that refuge clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;

I see the blue above it;

And day by day this pathway smooths,

Since first I learned to love it,

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,

A fountain ever springing;

All things are mine since I am his—

How can I keep from singing?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181841
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8674
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453508
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23912
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments