Getting together and singing in unison is something we do in church that is a little weird in our society. There are not that many other contexts where we do that, though there are definitely some.
Why do we do this, then? Music is powerful – it’s one of those things that give us glimpses into the divine. Music is one of the languages God has given us to rejoice, worship, mourn and convey all the aspects of the human experience.
Music can also be one of the things that divides the church, over what kinds of music, whether to clap, what beat to clap on. Music is an area where our preferences are strong, and when our preferences come into conflict with others’ preferences it can divide is. This is especially true in our individualistic, personalized, made-to-order culture.
But that also means music provides us an opportunity to participate in community despite our current, individual states or situation or preferences. It is an opportunity give up our rights and come together with the broader body of Christ.
And when we sing the words of the scriptures, we are reminded of the story of God’s love for us, age even placing ourselves within that story, along with our brothers and sisters in Christ alongside us.
This particular passage is placed by verse 15 into the broader wisdom tradition of Proverbs and other writing, as a “do this, not that” kind of pattern. Meanwhile, verse 16 places it in an eschatological context, as advice for people living in the midst of evil and tragic things.
Given that, we are to be sober, both literally and metaphorically. Ironically, that sobriety can become cynicism that makes the singing seem cheesy or naive. So does that mean the spirit has to fill us first, or does the Holy Spirit come fill us as we sing?
But in reality, it is both/and, because the Holy Spirit comes to us collectively, just as we see during Pentecost. Our faith is not an individual, private exercise. When we come together in songs, hymns and spiritual songs, we lift each other up, we draw closer to each other and to God. When we engage with each other, we become the body of Christ, demonstrating His love for the world. The cheesy songs that the world may mock are also the gateway to the fullness of community that the world longs for.
— Sermon Notes, Dave Sim, Renew Church, Lynnwood WA, September 25, 2022