Come, Let Us Sing!

by
Listen to this devotional:
 Listen while you read: "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing"1  (Lyrics)

Psalm 96:1-4a – O 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. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. (NRSV)

I've been missing many things during the pandemic, but nothing compares with the missing elements in worship. Yes, there have been alternatives to traditional worship such as services on Zoom and YouTube and drive-in church and physical distancing church and all the rest. The missing element has been singing! Singing was deemed dangerous as an activity in spreading COVID-19. I found it so very appropriate that at the first worship service when I was invited to join in congregational singing, the opening hymn, by Jim Strathdee, began with the words, "Come, let us sing to the Lord our song: we have stood silently too long".

The singing did my heart good, but it did much more than that, as the first verse concluded with the words, "surely the Lord deserves our praise, so joyfully thank God for our days."

Anyone brought up on the catechism, as I was, would remember that our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy God forever. Yes, we can do that in our minds and hearts even when we can't do it with our voices.

We may have the voice of an angel or the croak of a frog, but the important thing is to offer praise to the Lord our God! In the shower, in the car, on the bus, softly in a crowded store, or lustily on a mountaintop, let's let our praises flow! "Come, all you creatures, high and low; let your praises endlessly flow."

Prayer: I will exalt You, O God my king. I will bless Your name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless You and praise Your name for ever and ever. Great are You, Lord, and wonderfully worthy to be praised. Your greatness is past searching out. One generation shall praise Your works to another and declare Your mighty acts. Amen. (adapted from Psalm 145:1-4)

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada
Send your feedback to the author

1 thought on “Come, Let Us Sing!”

  1. Amen ! thank you Kenneth.

    Thanks for the encouraging words, Kenn.

    Thanks, Kenn for inspiring us with a wonderful devotion.

    Thanks Kenn. This is so very true!
    Blessings.

    Yes! That is what I miss the most also – singing! It’s different in the church than in the shower or home!

    I am one of the croaking frogs!
    But I love the familiar hymns.
    Blessings.

    Great suggestions for all of us who really miss singing in church, Kenn!
    God bless!

    Thank you for your devotional and bringing us the message about singing. Your prayer reminded me of reading Psalm 145 Monday morning. Thank you!!

    Thankfully my church shows the hymn words and readings on the screen so I can sing happily away.
    I agree with all you say.

    Thank you for this. Singing has been my life in the church. Being constrained with masks and distancing and silence has left me feeling bereft. I love “Come let us sing.”
    (B.C.)

    Thanks Kenn. The singing is missed, we should sing a new song to the Lord, sing His praises always. You put it so well, do keep sending your devotionals, easily understood, and much appreciated. Do take care and stay safe. Blessings.

    Thanks Kenn for another of your very meaningful devotionals. Yes, our praise of the Lord can be done in so many different ways and the important thing is that we do praise Him and be very thankful for His constant care. Blessings for the writings you deliver.

    Thanks for this Kenn
    The first time I attended my church when it opened to in-person, in the fall, I was surprised that I began to cry as I sang my first hymn in church – so emotional an experience.
    Blessings.

    I, too, miss the singing! I have a lot of my favorite songs on a CD and whenever I am out in the car, I play them and sing along. I also use my favorites in my morning devotion time. Such a great way to praise and worship God! Thanks for your devotion today. Blessings.

    Thanks for your thoughts. It may be relaxing to sit in your pajamas with a coffee watching a video service, but you really don’t become engaged in praise. I may sing like a scratchy frog, but the praise songs I sing at church on Sunday keep running through my mind during the week. The mask helps protect others ears.

    Dear Kenn,
    I am sure I can see many others nodding in agreement to your devotional and the missing of singing with others to praise our Lord. Very uplifting devotional to encourage us all of the importance of worshiping with others in our lives.
    When we move out of lock down this time, may we stay open and be able to once again praise the Lord together. Blessings.

    Good morning, Kenn.
    As a member of our church choir I miss the feeling of family singing together.
    In anticipation of our singing to the Lord as one in person it will be with great joy. It is good to sing alone but the joy is much greater in numbers.
    Singing in a group will hopefully be a possible event soon. Let’s all praise the Lord and pray for an end to the pandemic.

    Kenn. Thank you for this devotional. I too miss the singing even though I can’t carry a tune I still like to “make a joyful noise”. I also was brought up on the catechism and remember well the “Chief end of man” question. When I was in the hospital, a minister “he was wearing a clerical collar” came to the door of a room I was sharing with another woman and bellowed “What is the chief end of man?” Well of course I had the answer.
    Just a memory.
    Things are easing in Ontario next week so maybe we might get back to in church worship but maybe not the singing.
    Blessings to you.

    Music is healing to the troubled soul. I am blessed with the ability to play the piano. After listening to the church service on the radio, I play hymns finishing with Blessed Assurance, a hymn our family always sung in challenging times. “Come Let Us Sing” however we can.

    Thank you, Kenn, as we all had to go through, and some still are. I’m heading for bed now with a song in my as I just read your devotional and have wonderful music on a Christian channel. I’ve sung my whole life. Goodnight and God bless.
    (Ca.)
     

Leave a comment