Then Sings My Soul
“Is anyone joyful? He is to sing praises [to God]” (James 5:13b, Amplified Bible).
Did you sing this song as a child?
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)
There are verses that instructed us to stomp our feet, turn around, and shout “Hurray!” (hoo-ray!). This song made us happy.
In addition to making us happy, did you know that singing is physically healthful for us:
- “Singing releases endorphins into your system and makes you feel energized and uplifted. People who sing are healthier than people who don’t.
- Singing gives the lungs a workout,
- Singing tones abdominal and intercostal muscles and the diaphragm and stimulates circulation.
- Singing makes us breathe more deeply than many forms of strenuous exercise, so we take in more oxygen, improve aerobic capacity and experience a release of muscle tension as well. — Professor Graham Welch, Director of Educational Research, University of Surrey, Roehampton, UK”.
Also, throughout the Bible, singing is encouraged. For example, James, the brother of Jesus, wrote: “Sing praises unto God!” (James 5:13) But when should we sing?
Sing When Life Is Good
What makes you happy? Is it enjoying God’s creation, like a sunset or sunrise or looking at the stars in the sky on a warm summer night?
Is it the sound of a love-one’s voice (spouse, child, sibling) telling you how much they love and appreciate you?
Is it the fact that you were able to get out of the bed, get dressed, and feed yourself without assistance?
Or maybe you are happy just to be alive today; because you realize that if it had not been for God’s intervention, you would be dead!
Sing When Life Is Not So Good
Scott McKnight, Professor of Religious Studies, wrote that we should not think of “joyful” or “cheerful” or “happy” in terms of a happy, smiley face because life is good…but as enthusiasm, courage, and a confident faith.. often in the context of stress.”
Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, pastor, author, and teacher, taught, “God is able to give ‘songs in the night’ (Job 35:10). He did this for Paul and Silas when they were suffering in that Philippian jail. ‘And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God’” (Acts 16:25).
In other words, if we are able to see God’s goodness when life is not going good, songs of praise often bubble up out of our souls.
Paul Encouraged the New Testament Saints to Sing unto the Lord
He told the Ephesian Church that they should speak “to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:19-20).
The Psalmist Taught the Old Testament Saints to Sing unto the Lord
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalms 95:1-2).
You May Sing A Hymn unto the Lord
How Great Thou Art
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Chorus:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art (Written by Carl Gustav Boberq and translated by Stuart K. Hine in1949.
You May Sing A Contemporary Song unto the Lord
Lord I Lift Your Name on High
(Verse)
Lord, I lift Your name on high
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
I’m so glad You’re in my life
I’m so glad You came to save us
(Chorus)
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord, I lift Your name on high (Rick Founds)
James, the brother of Jesus, wrote: “Is anyone joyful? He is to sing praises [to God]” (James 5:13b, Amplified Bible). Whether life is good or not so good, thoughts of the goodness of Jesus will provoke spontaneous songs of praise. Brothers and Sisters, God is worthy of our songs of praise. Sing!
Join the Conversation.
Dr. Dorothy J. Haire
Author & Blogger
Both church planter and pastor of Bread of Life Christian Church for the last 18 years, Dr. Haire is a beloved mother and successful author. Empowered to deliver the word of God to His people, Dr. Haire uses her digital platform to educate and develop Christian communities that are rooted in the word of Christ.
Music and singing have always been my best way of worshipping and praising God! Thank you for this excellent message! Merry Christmas , Dorothy!
Singing songs of praise to God always changes and helps in all situations.
Thank you Dr. Haire, it brought to mind If you can’t remember the verses you may have read in the bible, somehow we remember the words of a song from years passed. Sing unto the Lord and you will always be able to communicate with the Lord. Keep making a joyful noise unto the Lord!!
I enjoy singing, just wish I had the voice!
Music has always been a part of my home so I really enjoyed the reminder.
With a life experience blessed with a singing Father/family we received the gift of learning to worship through songs and hymns at all times..singing through good and bad times, at death, to celebrate new life, birthdays,weddings, etc.
And now through these times of global testing of God’s people and the nations, our songs resound a renewed love for and commitment to Christ and to the journey with Jesus. 🙌🏽
This blog, as do all, captures the essence of the life experience lived in context with the beauty of scripture and its relevant application.
Every song mentioned touched a chord of precious memories.
🐝 Blessed❣✝️
Great blog, as is them all!
Singing praises to my Lord gives me great joy and peace.
We can so easily become locked down with life’s issues that we find ourselves in a place of despair and it seems as though there’s no way out. When I reflect on praising our way out, I’m reminded of Paul and Silas according to Acts 16: when they where imprisoned in Philippi for causing a public nuisance (preaching the Good News) they sat in prison with their feet in stocks singing hymns. The Bible tells us, At Midnight, an earthquake broke open the prison doors, setting the prisoners free.
So, even in our darkest hour, we can sing praises to our King and experience the freedom of peace in our Spirit man.
When praised go up, Truly blessings do come down!!
Thank you Dr. Dorothy Haire. You are a great encourager and Teacher,
Blessings, Dr. Morris
I love singing and have always had a song in my spirit. If I’m not singing I humming and most of the time it’s not a song I know it’s what in my spirit that comes out of my mouth. People have ask what are you humming and all I can say it’s the song in my heart and I believe that’s making a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Regularly my day is orchestrate by a song. I find a song that line up to where I want to go and let it attached to my spirit so when my soul (mind, will and emotions) begins to speak loader than what I know is true, Psalm 43:5 ( Why, my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hop inGod, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God) I begin to sing unto the LORD a song
Yes singing about our savior will aways lift ones spirit. I sing praise to His Name!What and awesome blog! Thank!
Happy New year
I aways knew singing was powerful. No matter the problem or circumstance when O begin to sing a praise to God. I am helped, uplifted and strengthened. Victory is certain. Singing a praise can break the yoke of fear and darkness. Jesus always gives me a song
Music has medicinal purposes. it can keep you up or lift you up which ever is needed. Thank you Dr. Haire.
As I was reading this another song came to my mind which is always uplifting, “Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is Good. Yes He is Good!” Thanks for reminding me that singing praises seems to change your mood and uplifts you.
Before I received Christ as my savior in 1987, I remember listening to secular music for many of my teenage years, I always had a song in my spirit even the wrong kinds. But now, I love songs that glorify Christ and lifts him up. One of my personal favorites is “Break Every Chain” by Tasha Cobb.
I love to sing praise unto the lord because he is worthy, and it fell my heart with joy, I love singing the old hymns we in church.
Amen , Amen. Thank you for reminding us how Valuable Singing songs of praise is to a believer. This took me back to the days in the cotton fields of Arkansas when my sisters and cousin all sang daily as we worked in the fields. We always sang and made melody in our hearts. Today singing a hymn or praise and worship song always makes things Better. Truly. “I Love You Jesus More Than Anything “, “You Are My Strength”. 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾
love to praise His Name.
Hello Dr. Haire,
I love singing, especially songs of praises, in the good times and the bad. Singing brings joy to my soul!
In times like these, we need a Savior. In times like these we need an Anchor. Be very sure. Be very sure. Your anchor holds, and grip the solid, that solid Rock! That Rock is Jesus!
Singing is the agent change for me. It changes my attitude and my atmosphere. Your blog is a great reminder of one of those weapons we can use in good times and bad to be uplifted.
Thank you