Singing the Psalms in the Bible

Singing the Psalms is one of the oldest and richest practices of God's worshiping people. The Psalter was Israel's inspired songbook, and from beginning to end it commands and models heartfelt, joyful song to the Lord. "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation" (Psalm 95:1). This is no quiet, optional exercise but an exuberant summons to praise the God who saves. The Psalms repeatedly call for fresh and skillful song. "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 96:1) widens the invitation to every nation, while Psalm 33:3 urges craftsmanship in worship: "Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." Praise is to be both heartfelt and well-offered, engaging mind, voice, and instrument. Joy is the keynote of psalm-singing: "Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs" (Psalm 100:2). And the reason given is simple and weighty: "How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!" (Psalm 147:1). The New Testament carries this practice straight into the church. Paul commands believers, "speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19), and "singing to God with gratitude in your hearts" (Colossians 3:16). The early church inherited the Psalms as living worship, not relics of the past. Singing the Psalms teaches us to praise God in every season, for the Psalter gives words to joy, sorrow, repentance, and hope. To sing them is to let Scripture shape our affections, to join the chorus of the whole earth, and to offer God the glad, skillful, grateful praise he is so worthy to receive.