Music in the Life of the Church
Tuesday’s Verse:
From Colossians 3:16 ESV
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Here, the Apostle Paul gives us the portrait of the Church animated by the gospel. The word of Christ should not just sit idly on a shelf nor fade vaguely from our memories. Instead, Christ’s word should “dwell” among us, and to dwell means to live within as an inhabitant. Christ should live within us richly.
One of the ways Christ’s word should dwell richly among us is by singing: “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” Did you catch that Paul lists song right alongside “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom?” Song is not some extracurricular activity we do after we’ve worshipped. Corporate and choral song is one of the primary ways the word of Christ teaches, corrects, and encourages us as we grow together into His image.
Martin Luther once said that “next to the Word of God, singing is the noblest art.” Luther loved music because he knew it was a gift from God “to cheer the hearts of His people, to restrain and govern their thoughts, to drive the devil from them, and to proclaim to them the worthy gospel” (Luther). Luther understood congregational singing was one of the most important ways to teach sound doctrine and make joyful the heart of the Christian. That is why the Reformation exploded with hymns written in the language of the people.
So next time you’re sitting in church singing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” or “Amazing Grace” or some other truthful hymn or psalm, you are literally doing what Paul commands. You are allowing the word of Christ to dwell richly in you by teaching and admonishing one another through song. The melody proclaims God’s truth; the harmony unites your voices as one body; and the hearts of the thankful lift it all up to God.
Corporate and choral music is a cornerstone of worship. Singing is not something we should preserve as tradition—it is a means of grace God gave us! May the word of Christ continue to sound forth in you through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord, thank You for the gift of music through which we sing Your word into our hearts. Fill us with songs of joy and knowledge that we may richly dwell in Christ and make much of His saving name. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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