According to Psalm 47, we are to sing the praise of the Lord “with skillfulness.” I will leave the musical instruction side of that commandment, with its pitches, note reading, beat, proper breathing, harmonizing, etc., to those more gifted than I am. Yet a congregation can make vast improvements in its singing even without choral training. How? Simply by listening to and obeying the Word of God’s instruction on how we are to sing in the presence of God. Consider applying these short exhortations to your singing in a purposeful way as you go to the house of the Lord the next time.

Sing to the Lord! So many scriptural exhortations tell us to sing to the Lord or just place the words in our mouth that we will do so, such as “I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me” (Ps. 13:6). How quickly we can forget that we are before the throne of the Lord who has redeemed us. He is worthy of all honor and glory and praise.

Sing with the Lord! Our Lord Jesus, who is Immanuel (God with us), is with the church whenever it gathers. His church is the very temple of God, and through the continual presence of His Holy Spirit He dwells with us. We are told that Jesus says, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise” (Heb. 2:12). When we take His word and its truths upon our lips, His Spirit is there singing with us.

Be enthusiastic! Not long ago I was about to step forward to speak at a youth conference. Weariness from some extra pressures right before the conference, including a funeral, had caught up to me. Though the message was one I had looked forward to delivering, I felt drained and empty. Before I went forward, the youth sang. Their spirited, robust singing not only filled the room but my heart. I floated up to the pulpit. My energy returned. Enthusiasm is contagious. Regardless of others’ attitudes as they come to church, if you have the attitude “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Ps. 34:3), others will be affected.

Engage your mind! You should not read the Bible mindlessly or pray rote prayers. Neither should you sing this way. Paul exhorted the Corinthians by personally testifying, “I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also” (1 Cor. 14:15). Listening to the minister’s introduction to the song and then singing what the words mean are vital to praising God in truth. We cannot love Him with all our hearts and minds if we are distracted.

Reflect the mood! Along with using your mind, your singing and face should acknowledge the tone of the song. When singing penitent psalms and confessing sin, often a more sorrowful note and facial expression are appropriate. “The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins” (Ps. 25:17-18). If a call to Christian duty and battle is ringing forth in the hymn, should not fuller-throated, serious notes be heard from our lips like a war trumpet and looks of determination be seen in our countenance? When songs are praising the Lord, joy should radiate from us. “My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Ps. 84:2).

Admonish the brethren! Remember that the Lord is not the only one to whom your singing is to be directed. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16). We are to sing into the hearts and lives of those around us as we ourselves become instruments of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to our fellow believers.

Warn the unbelieving! Our singing is to be evangelical in nature also. Unbelievers should hear of the holiness of God and the way of salvation He has prepared in Christ. “Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples” (Ps. 96:2-3). Yet not only do we need to warn them so they will turn to Christ, we also must warn them of what will happen if they do not. The early church, after Herod’s threats, sang and prayed from Psalm 2 (see Acts 4:23-31). This psalm ends with this warning:

Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! (vv. 10-12)

Finally, lift your voice! You should sing at a volume that says you want to be heard. Notice everyone is included in the exhortation, “O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy”(Ps. 47:1). There are times when our singing should be lifting the roof.

And, yes, I know I skipped the part about clapping your hands. After all, I am a Presbyterian minister. But I did hear some of that at that youth conference.

—Barry York, in cooperation with GentleReformation.org