Sing One Another's Songs
Excerpt from Colossians 3:12-17
". . .and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God."
Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver
In Paul's letter to the Colossians, in the midst of a demanding list of commands to live a righteous life, it is startling to come upon the command to sing: ". . .and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God." Why did they need to be commanded to sing? Isn't singing a great joy?
Well, perhaps the Colossians couldn't agree on what kind of songs to sing. It is amazing how controversial music can be. A while back the Methodists were planning to publish a new hymnal. They started with a survey in which they asked which hymns their members would most like to see included. "Rock of Ages" topped the list. They also asked which hymns they would least like to see included. The number one choice? "Rock of Ages."
It is telling that, in his command to sing, Paul refers to three different kinds of music: "psalms" (that is, songs from the Bible), "hymns" (songs of praise not from the Bible), and “"spiritual songs," which could mean just about anything. Sing psalms, hymns andspiritual songs. So Paul was saying, "Sing different songs. Even in a style you don’t like, because it may be speaking from the heart, or to the heart, of someone else in your community of faith."
That may be why Paul had to command the people of Colossae to sing. To sing together—out of our different cultures, languages, backgrounds, and, yes, musical tastes—can be a radical act. It would be wonderful if it could be said of each of our congregations: "It is the kind of place where they joyfully sing one another's songs."
Prayer
God, tune my heart for praise so that I might sing joyfully and, in singing, be drawn together with all who worship you.
Excerpt from Colossians 3:12-17
". . .and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God."
Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver
In Paul's letter to the Colossians, in the midst of a demanding list of commands to live a righteous life, it is startling to come upon the command to sing: ". . .and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God." Why did they need to be commanded to sing? Isn't singing a great joy?
Well, perhaps the Colossians couldn't agree on what kind of songs to sing. It is amazing how controversial music can be. A while back the Methodists were planning to publish a new hymnal. They started with a survey in which they asked which hymns their members would most like to see included. "Rock of Ages" topped the list. They also asked which hymns they would least like to see included. The number one choice? "Rock of Ages."
It is telling that, in his command to sing, Paul refers to three different kinds of music: "psalms" (that is, songs from the Bible), "hymns" (songs of praise not from the Bible), and “"spiritual songs," which could mean just about anything. Sing psalms, hymns andspiritual songs. So Paul was saying, "Sing different songs. Even in a style you don’t like, because it may be speaking from the heart, or to the heart, of someone else in your community of faith."
That may be why Paul had to command the people of Colossae to sing. To sing together—out of our different cultures, languages, backgrounds, and, yes, musical tastes—can be a radical act. It would be wonderful if it could be said of each of our congregations: "It is the kind of place where they joyfully sing one another's songs."
Prayer
God, tune my heart for praise so that I might sing joyfully and, in singing, be drawn together with all who worship you.
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