Brothers, sing.
When men sing, things get better.
"And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed them that should sing unto the LORD, and praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks unto the LORD; for his mercy endureth forever." — 2 Chronicles 20:21
The men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir had come against Judah. Outnumbered and outflanked, Jehoshaphat and the men of Judah had a decision to make.
What did they do?
They sent in the choir.
God gives favor to men who sing.
"And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped." [vv 22-24]
Singing is a superpower. It is a shame more men are not tapping into it.
Singing [in Church]
A quick history of congregational singing...
Circa the Reformation, congregants were not allowed to sing. Men stood idly by as "sacred music was performed by professionals (priests and cantors), played on complex instruments (pipe organs), and sung in an obscure language (Latin)." [David Murrow]
The Reformation [16th Century] changed all that. Reformation leaders promoted congregational singing [everyone sings]—simple songs with theologically rich lyrics sung in a tune the average men could carry. Since most people were illiterate in the 16th Century, singing became an effective catechism—congregants learned about God as they sang about God.
The printing press brought an explosion of congregational singing... "The first hymnal was printed in 1532, and soon a few dozen hymns became standards across Christendom. Hymnals slowly grew over the next four centuries. By the mid-20th Century, every Protestant Church had a hymnal of about 1000 songs, 250 of which were regularly sung..." [Murrow]
Simple, familiar songs, written in a doable key, everyone sang. Men included.
And then 30 years ago, we went backwards: Welcome Computer-Controlled Projection Screens...
"Worship leaders realized they could project anything on that screen. So they brought in new songs each week. They drew from the radio, the Internet, and Worship conferences. Some began composing their own songs, performing them during worship, and streaming them online.
In short order, we went from 250 songs everyone knows to 250,000+ songs nobody knows. When it comes to music, the Church has returned to the 14th Century. Worshippers stand mute as professional-caliber musicians play complex instruments and sing in an obscure language. Martin Luther is turning over in his grave." [Murrow]
Men stopped singing.
Man Enough to Sing
I love what David Mathis wrote,
"I want my sons to grow up believing that a grown man singing is one of the most natural sounds in the world.
It doesn't have to be great singing. I'm no accomplished vocalist. Yet I don't want my boys — or my daughter, for that matter — to ever think it's strange for men to sing. Rather, it's strange, and sad, when men don't sing."
We men need to sing. When men sing, churches are healthier, and homes are happier. A sign of a healthy church [and home, for that matter] is crying babies and singing men.
I can't control how and what your Church sings, but I can encourage you to sing. At the top of your lungs, sing. I embarrass my kids in two ways: kissing their mom until they are uncomfortable and singing loudly in Church.
And not only in Church; I sing everywhere, especially at home.
One of the best and most effective ways to transfer your faith to the next generation is by singing [and your kids seeing you singing].
Sing Scripture
What better lyrics to put to music than the very words of God? After all, Jesus died to redeem a universal choir—why not sing His Words? Singing good doctrine and theology doesn't hurt, either!
Some tools I recommend:
Seeds Kids Worship [for families with younger kids]
Psallos [probably my fav, I love these guys]
New City Catechism [great theology written and sung]
Anything Matt Boswell/Matt Papa
Sing Coming & Going
Spontaneous singing around the house and in the car shows our kids the overflow of our hearts. Structured singing shows them we are serious about the habit—that it’s important to us. Structure and spontaneity are not enemies—structure produces spontaneity. Consider setting aside specific times for singing, such as during family meals or before bedtime, to make it a regular part of your routine.
I sing and teach my kids to sing traditional hymns. Why? Three reasons:
They are theologically rich.
They are easy to sing and remember.
When I am dying, and my kids surround my deathbed, it’s what I want to hear. I am going out to Holy, Holy, Holy.
Sing When It’s Tough
Mary Poppins was right; a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. In my home, we sing our way through [seemingly] unpleasant tasks. We sing while doing yard work and chores, we sing at bath time, and we sing while changing diapers. I agree with Mathis: "How good will it be for our children to hear Daddy sing not only in the happiest moments but also during unpleasant ones..."
Just Sing
Brothers, let's sing. If for no other reason, "until Jesus returns, we will sing — thanking God for old songs that join us with the saints of history, enjoying new songs that enable us to express eternal truth in fresh ways, and anticipating the songs that are yet to come.
The Savior has rescued us that we might sing the song of the redeemed. May we sing it well. May we sing it constantly. May we sing it passionately. May we sing it for his glory and the advancing of his gospel until the time comes when our songs will never end." [Bob Kauflin]
Brother keep [or start] singing,
— Harmonious Harp
Speaking of singing… enjoy two of my favs crushing it… “This too shall pass…”