Raising your voice in praise – why you should sing proudly in church

Singing is a part of the church experience. Every congregation I've ever been a part of has always begun each service with a prayer and a song, a chance for the entire church body to stand and worship in unison – even when some people might have rather remained sitting.

Is that you? Do you find yourself inwardly groaning when the pastor says to pick up the hymnal? Do you grumble to yourself when the musical director opts to go for the extra long version of a song with the extended verses? Do you mumble through the songs and find yourself clapping on the wrong beat every single time?

The sad fact is, not all of us have been blessed with a perfect singing voice or an extroverted disposition. For those of us who feel awkward creaking and squeaking our way through a song, there is nothing we'd like to do more than sit back down, put away the hymnal, and listen to the choir (the professionals) sing instead. It isn't that you don't like music or anything, it's just that you feel you don't need to be part of the chorus, especially when you aren't particularly good at singing or feel comfortable doing so.

While that may seem like a reasonable position, I have some bad news – singing is an important part of praise.

The Bible is filled with references to praise and song. Music is the language through which God is celebrated and venerated. From the chripping of birds and the buzzing of cicadas in your backyard, to a chorus of angels singing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3), the whole of creation is moved to raise up its voice and proudly proclaim His glory.

Heaven itself is described to be in constant song of worship, a place where God is eternally praised through an ongoing, thunderous chorus. "Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!'”  Revelation 5:11–12

God wants us to sing. While prayer is how we communicate with Him, it is through song and a lifted voice that we celebrate Him. God doesn't care if your singing voice is a little weak, or that you're not always able to hit the right notes. He doesn't mind if you're off the beat when the congregation starts to clap and sway to the music. He isn't judging when you feel awkward or silly.

But what He will notice is a missing voice. 

Instead of worrying about your performance, or how you feel, or whatever else is rattling around in your head and making you feel too uncomfortable to really cut loose and sing to the Lord, concentrate on what is important. Praising God in a clear, proud, and loud voice. Keep that in your mind, and sing like nobody (but God) is listening.

"Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” Psalm 150:1-5