Our musical preferences often reveal the inner depths of the true song of the heart, whether it flows from joyous praise or lament. Perhaps the Book of Psalms holds the central position of the Bible for this very reason. Within their pages we find one hundred and fifty honest and vulnerable heart expressions of God’s musical poets of long ago.
I’ve experienced various seasons of song. You probably can relate. Sometimes, heart songs feel quenched, coming in faint whispers of the soul. Other times a refrain of free song rises unhindered in lavish praise to our Savior and Lord. And still other times, our heart song may feel far more like a call to arms or a war chant. Then, too, it may flow as a soft invitation of peace and rest. Though varied in word and rhythm, a song of the heart, resonates from the core of our being.
“ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”
Colossians 3:16
When the foundation of our heart songs rests solid on the message of Christ and the Word of God, they will both teach and counsel us with holy wisdom.
The Message About Christ
I love how the Amplified Bible reads here: “Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being].” Wow! As the message of Jesus Christ permeates every aspect of our being, it naturally flows through our lips in psalms, hymns, and songs, birthed through the Holy Spirit. God’s Word actively working within us through melodies old and new (Hebrews 4:12).
In what season of song are you? What is the honest song of the heart that draws your ears to listen and soul to respond. As seasons change so do the songs that speak the clearest to us. We can be honest before God and ourselves, opening wide the gates of our hearts and releasing authentic songs of the soul. Is it confusion? Is it despair? Maybe rejoicing? Or perhaps a yearning for sacred solitude?
May our songs reflect our internal reality. Yet, let’s remember that the song that resonates today will change for tomorrow.
“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
Psalm 40:3
How wonderful! When the song of the heart resonates with the message of Christ. Then many will be drawn to Him.
Songs can reach the heart and mind in ways that words alone cannot touch. In every generation, the songs of the church have taught and counselled — mostly for good but sometimes for evil. Today, as always, it is important to pay close attention to the lyrics we sing, examining them on the basis of Scripture. Do they contain godly wisdomand conform to the truth of His Word?
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
Paul echoes this thought while writing to Christians in Ephesus.
“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
Here, Paul mainly addresses the practice of corporate worship within the local church body. Psalms refer to the sacred songs found within the Bible — specifically within the Book of Psalms. Just as during ancient times of Jewish worship these psalms continue to be significant in today’s Christian liturgy. Psalm literally means “to play an instrument or a song set to music”. Ultimately, the meaning goes far beyond those songs we find within the pages of Scripture.
Hymns refer to songs of praise directed specifically to God. They often reflect theological truths as well as the words and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. They denote more of a solemn, religious composition, or a song of Divine praise.
Today, we often focus more on spiritual songs, like spontaneous or inspired songs prompted by the Holy Spirit. They flow freely with child-like simplicity as a song of the heart. Song, or “ode”, qualifies as “spiritual” when created “with or in the Spirit.” Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they form a God-centered spiritual worship.
The early church emphasized mutual encouragement and teaching through music. God never intended for music to become a preparation for the “real” message or a segue to something more important. He gives the song of the heart as a necessary form of communion with God and fellowship within the body of Christ.
To the Lord
When the song of the heart focuses on God — through Him, for Him, and about Him — it resonates with the sounds of heaven, coming into agreement with all God is and speaks. Far beyond lyrics and melodies, heaven’s song penetrates earth with holy intention, aligning us with His will and heart.
May the song of the heart become all God means it to be and more!
“I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
Psalm 104:33
May this be true of us. May the song of the heart resonate within us and flow from us, bringing praise to our God as long as (we) live.
Oh, Lord, may the songs we sing become sincere psalms, hymns, and Holy Spirit inspired expressions of adoration, worship, and praise to You. May there be a holy release that speaks to us personally and corporately as we gather to worship You.
God, I ask that You revive the ancient anthems of the church to inspire and teach us. May they become new to our hearing and fresh to our souls. May they ground us again on the foundational teaching of Jesus Christ.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I ask for a Holy Spirit release of the new songs heaven desires to be declared on earth. May there we a greater alignment between the songs of declaration around Your throne and the songs expressed among us. Holy Spirit, we welcome You to invade and influence our worship to penetrate hearts and minds, bringing us into a deeper communion with the Father, fellowship with the Son, and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
We welcome You, Lord, to open our hearts, our ears, and our minds to listen to the whispers of Your heart through song.
Do it again, Lord!
I ask for a fresh wind of heart song to blow among us, releasing an awakening to You.
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