Songs are not merely words or music; by the wise design of our Creator, they are crafted to dwell within us. In Colossians 3:16 (and its parallel passage, Ephesians 5:18-19), we find the primary directives for congregational singing—an instruction that shapes how the word of Christ takes root in the public worship of His Church.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God. —Colossians 3:16 (LSB)
I. What We Sing: The Biblical Content
So, what should we sing? God commands the content plainly: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. It is well beyond the scope of this article to discuss the topic of exclusive psalmody, but the reader is encouraged to read the following helpful series of articles from Dr. Waldron. While we may be permitted to sing more than psalms exclusively, we must not exclude psalmody in our Lord’s Day worship. This is the common error in our day, and there is much work to be done in the church concerning psalm singing. Psalms are obviously didactic as a divinely authorized method of teaching in both the Old and New Testaments. Furthermore, today, not all songs called ‘hymns’ or ‘spiritual’ are didactic in nature, but the ones we sing in worship must teach us something revealed in Holy Scripture.
Equally important is what we are not to sing in worship:
- Songs void of the word of Christ and lacking any biblical teaching at all.
- Songs that are not arranged for congregational singing (e.g., songs tonally designed for a solo pop vocalist, songs that profit heretical groups regardless of content, etc.).
While there are certainly some modern hymns that are doctrinally sound and stylistically appropriate for congregational singing in worship, the vast and ecumenical history of Christian hymnody is far too rich to exclusively cater to present musical trends.
II. How We Sing: The Proper Posture
After all, the directive of Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:18-19 has in view not only the content of what is being sung, but the posture as well. When applying biblical wisdom to our singing, we must be diligent in not allowing the form to overshadow the content of the teaching. Of course, this prohibits certain styles of music from ever being used to accommodate the singing in corporate worship.
Too many (otherwise biblically faithful) churches allow for performers to ‘lead’ a congregation. Expository preaching and the lack of an altar call alone do not constitute biblical worship. An expository, gospel-saturated sermon amidst performative emotionalism in the element of singing is nonetheless a trampling of God’s courts (Isaiah 1:12).
We must critically evaluate how we ought to sing in worship: with wisdom and not with a posture of performance. Even songs with solid doctrine become problematic when arranged in a performative, emotionalistic manner where the form overshadows the content. And as congregational singing is a form of teaching in a formal meeting of the church, the eldership should be diligent to oversee which songs are being selected each week and approve any hymnals used.
The unified voice of the congregation is the lead instrument in public worship. Any musical instrument that overpowers the singing inherently violates the biblical principle. At this point, church leaders must ask themselves hard questions:
- How many amplified voices and instruments does it take to lead the singing?
- Will this overpower the congregational voices (the primary instrument)?
- Is it wise to have a woman lead the singing (even if the choice of songs is under the oversight of the eldership)?
- Since singing is teaching, is it permissible for a woman to teach in this capacity?
- Is it wise to establish a ‘praise team’ or band that assumes a posture of performance and dynamically overpowers the voices of the congregation?
I fear that many in the church have compromised on biblical principles for the sensual enhancement of the musical experience. There’s nothing wrong with a good concert, but that’s not what the singing element in the Lord’s Day worship should seek to emulate.
On the other end, many do not sing at all, or if they do, in a half-hearted lip-sync. Raise the voice God gave you for the reason He gave it to you. Not singing along with the congregation is like plugging your ears during the sermon.
III. Why We Sing: The Primary Purpose
Why do we spend anywhere from a quarter to a third of our time in corporate worship singing every Lord’s Day? Because singing is didactic, that is, a primary form of teaching. We must sing with all wisdom, as songs are tools of teaching and admonishing. Wisdom must be applied to this teaching and admonishment through the congregational singing of God’s people in corporate worship. This is how the word, or message, of Christ dwells richly in us.
The Triune God loves music, and He loves songs. His Word makes this clear. A substantial portion of the Bible is essentially song lyrics. Christianity is a uniquely musical religion because singing songs is commanded in our worship. Moreover, it is an ordinary means of grace—a faith-increaser. Just as through preaching, prayer, giving, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, singing is a way that God communicates His grace to us. He graciously gave us the ability to memorize words and songs about Him. When a tune is paired with a text, the melody helps us memorize and internalize the words, embedding them deeply in our affections.
There are plenty of Christians who, while being filled with the Holy Spirit, at the same time refuse to let the word of Christ dwell richly in them by forsaking this vital means of grace. Why don’t you sing with gratefulness in your heart to God? How grateful for your salvation are you then? Have you let something else dwell in you richly? What about the word of Christ!?
Pastors and Song Leaders, are all the songs sung in worship in your church teaching from Scripture? If so, is this teaching and admonishment through song being done with all wisdom? In your church, is singing acknowledged as a means of grace with the primary purpose of richly instilling the message of Christ?
About the Author: Michael Mullin
Michael Mullin is a student at CBTS aiming to graduate with a Master’s of Divinity in 2027. He has led the congregational singing in worship for the past 5 years, and has served in various music ministry roles for much longer. Before being called into ministry, he worked in the Nashville music industry. Michael, his wife, and daughter live in Hendersonville, TN.
This blog post is authored by a student of Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary.
