Then Sings My Soul

by | Dec 28, 2020 | The Bible | 17 comments

“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!

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Dr. Dorothy J. Haire

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.

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