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Why It Matters What Songs We Sing on the Lord’s Day
By Joshua Mills
Why does it matter which songs we sing on the Lord’s Day? Though there is much that could be said about this topic, I have narrowed down my answer into two points. The intention of this article is not to provide an exhaustive response, but rather a simple and brief reflection meant to stimulate our thinking on what the Bible says about corporate singing on the Lord’s Day.
To begin, why does it matter which songs we sing on the Lord’s Day? The answer is simple: because it is the Lord’s Day. The day that we gather corporately to worship the Triune God is the day our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the grave. The day is about Him. Each Sunday, we assemble as Christ’s blood-bought people to worship the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit. The great longing of our regenerated hearts is that the Triune God’s name would be hallowed (Matt. 6:9).
In Malachi 1:11, the LORD proclaimed:
“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.”
In Revelation 5:9–10, the Apostle John had a glimpse into the throne room of heaven. What did he see and hear? He heard the songs of the redeemed:
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’”
As we gather on the Lord’s Day to worship the crucified and risen Christ, we experience a foretaste of heaven. In that foretaste, we see the importance of singing. For all eternity, we will sing the praises of the Lamb. Therefore, our Lord’s Day gatherings must be marked by singing.
God Calls Us to Sing
Why else does it matter which songs we sing on the Lord’s Day?
First, it matters because God calls us to sing. God desires a redeemed people who sing His praises among the nations. A quick survey of Scripture shows there are over 400 references to singing and 50 direct commands to sing. Clearly, singing in corporate worship matters to God.
For example, in Psalm 96:1–3, the psalmist declares:
“Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”
In the opening chapters of Scripture, we see original sin enslave mankind to decay and death (Gen. 3). At the Tower of Babel, the LORD confused the languages of the wicked and scattered them into nations. Yet now, through the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the Triune God is drawing together a redeemed people from every tribe and tongue to sing the praises of the Lamb.
God Tells Us How to Sing
Second, God not only calls us to sing—He tells us how.
The New Testament gives us a framework for the kind of songs that should be found in our worship services. In Colossians 3:16, the Apostle Paul writes:
“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.”
Likewise, in Ephesians 5:18–21:
“…but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
When the word of Christ dwells in us richly, we will want to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. When we are filled with the Spirit, we will address one another with singing and make melody to the Lord with our hearts.
The main takeaway from these passages is this: God wants us to sing. He wants us to sing songs that hallow His name, are governed by biblical truth, and are saturated with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Historically, the greatest hymnwriters—whose works have stood the test of time—were also great pastors and theologians. By God’s grace, we are witnessing a renewal of doctrinally rich, Christ-exalting congregational singing in our generation.
A Call to Sing with Intention
As we conclude, may it be our prayer that God would make us a singing people.
To prepare your heart for Lord’s Day worship:
- Buy a hymnbook for your home.
- Sing Christ-exalting hymns throughout the week.
- Sing loudly and cheerfully with God’s people on the Day Christ rose from the grave.
Let us sing not just because it feels good—but because God is worthy.
Truth in Worship: Discernment, Theology, and the Songs We Sing
Joshua J. Mills is married to his beloved Kyla and they have two children: Isaac and Lydia. Outside of the home, Joshua has the privilege of serving as pastor at Trinity Baptist Church (Burlington, Ontario) and as a guest lecturer through Carey International University of Theology.
