Sing to Praise God!

19 December 2021 PM – Psalm 13:6 – Christmas – Scott Childs

Introduction: Johann Sebastian Bach said, “All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub.”

King David wrote in Psalms 13:6, “I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” David loved to sing and here he gives us one of his reasons for singing to the Lord.

1. I will sing

a.         David chose to sing.

1)         Birds sing because God has placed in each kind of bird a unique song. They sing by instinct.

2)         Humans only sing by choice. David said, “I will sing”. He chose to sing.

3)         You may not be a natural singer, but can choose to sing. Whether or not your voice is melodious makes no difference to God. He loves to hear you sing to Him.

b.         David’s song came from his heart.

1)         Singing in church is often mechanical and hypocritical. We say words without thinking of their meaning. We daydream while we mouth the words. We may like the tune and sing it for enjoyment. We may sing to impress others. We may sing because it is time to sing. God wants us to sing to Him.

2)         Singing by choice and desire reflects the heart. Those who sing filthy songs, reflect what is in their hearts. If you sing a love song to your sweetheart, it reflects your heart. Rebels sing rebellious songs that reflect their hearts. Patriotic songs sung from the heart express pride for our nation.

3)         Our worship songs will ONLY worship the Lord when we choose to sing, consciously focus on the Lord and sing the words in praise to Him. David chose to sing from his heart to glorify the Lord.

2.        Unto the LORD

a.         David’s song was not man-centred.

1)         It is not evil to sing a man-centred song.

a)         A clean love song may honour a spouse.

b)         A patriotic song may honour our country.

c)         A school theme song may honour the school.

2)         However, many man-centred songs have a godless focus.

3)         Even many contemporary “Christian” songs are more about the singer than they are about the Lord. They are often sung sensually to draw attention to the singer. The tune of such songs often mimics ungodly songs and is unfaithful to the words in the song.

b.         David’s song was God-focussed.

1)         David chose to sing unto the LORD. His song focussed on the Lord.

2)         He sang about God, to God, and for God.

3)         Consider Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” In the context of this verse, we learn that singing to the Lord is the result and evidence of being filled with the Spirit. If you claim to know the Lord but do not enjoy singing praise to the Lord, something is missing in your heart.

3.        Because he hath dealt bountifully with me

a.         David’s song recounted God’s blessings.

1)         It is good for us to sing songs that recount God’s blessings. God has dealt bountifully with us.

a)         Moses led a song of praise after Israel safely crossed the Red Sea (Ex 15:1).

b)         God’s wondrous works prompt singing (1Ch 16:9).

c)         God’s holiness ought to move us to sing (Ps 30:4).

d)         Sing to Him because He is our Rock (Ps 95:1).

e)         Thankfulness should move us to sing to Him (Ps 147:7).

2)         I have noticed that when God does something unusually wonderful for me, my heart overflows with singing His praise.

3)         How has God dealt bountifully with you this past year?

a)         Spiritually – personal Bible time, prayer, church, witnessing

b)         Physically – health

c)         Financially

d)         Emotionally – comfort, stability

e)         Provisions

f)          Protection

g)         Direction

4)         Songs like “How Great Thou Art”, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, “Joy to the World”, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, “What Child is This” and many other hymns and choruses we sing, recount God’s blessings.

b.         David’s song expressed genuine appreciation.

1)         He sang to the Lord from his heart to thank God for his blessings.

2)         That is the kind of singing that truly honours the Lord.

Conclusion: (Psalms 13:6) “I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.“

            Have people share ways that the LORD has dealt bountifully with them this past year. ______

            Sing: Praise Him! Praise Him! 442