As a base social need, when we sing in front of others we generally desire affirmation that we have a voice that is enjoyable to hear. However, in this case, we are focusing on a different aspect of the “sound of our praise” entirely. We are exploring the act of raising our voice in praise to God Almighty and letting come out of our mouths the pure sound of awe as we worship before Him. Never say, “I can’t sing.” For did God create you without praise? It may be more accurate to say, “I cannot hit the notes of the songs of man.” You just haven’t discovered the sound He has gifted you with – your voice of praise/worship to Him.
Look at nature, the birds of the air, the frogs of the wetlands, even the locusts in the trees cry out in their unique sounds as an orchestra of praise unto Him. Each sound unique, yet all are captivating. None of these beautiful creations have a good or bad voice. The locust does not say, “I cannot sing like the bird, so I will be silent.” Each has a song to sing out in full confidence of their Creator, Jesus Christ.
Some long to worship God with their voice, but have, for whatever reason, sat on the sidelines. Others have sang their songs of adoration but have been met with criticism or praise, thus receiving mixed signals. How many of us have silenced our praise or changed our sound to be more socially appropriate due to criticisms or the need to continue in a limited way to meet expectations of what a “good voice” sounds like.
Let us not hold back because the limited perspective of man says this or that way is an acceptable way to sing, for this opinion will change by era and cultural preference. Looking back over the history of music we see when certain vibratos, tones, notes, and keys were fashionable in each era; however, God is unchanging. He longs to hear us bringing forth songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. He longs for us to release ourselves and worship Him in Spirit and in truth, not in desperately trying to hit the notes of a song in a high key with our falsetto voice and then deciding we just can’t sing, but with raw worship, with no inhibitions, singing forth unto Him when we are alone or in a group. Let us sing unto the Lord in Spirit and truth with our unique sound that delights His heart.
Our sound may come forth with words to a song, sometimes tonal groans, sometimes singing in the spirit with words of heaven, and at others just sounds coming forth from our spirit crying out in supplication and praise unto Him who sings over us in harmony. When we cease concerning ourselves with what others might think and release ourselves in pure worship and praise to Him, Oh what can happen. In this holy flow of worship, we will find we sing our part and at times His part over us – oh, what a mystery of communion with the Almighty.
Let us flow in those rivers of living water coming forth from the Holy Spirit out of our spirits and up through our mouths. Sing forth without fear of judgment by man and let your sound be heard by the Lord, for it is He who deserves praise, honor, and worship. Let us offer our voices unto Him and allow Him to lead us into fresh worship with the sound He has desired to hear from each of us. When others hear this divine sound, their chains are broken and a longing for intimacy with the Almighty is ignited within them. Praising and worshiping with our unique sounds will draw all men unto Him.
I have spoken to you of resurrecting that which has seemed long dead, My love, I resurrect your voice in a way that is beyond your reckoning. Yes, even in this area that seemed as the grave, this area that seemed to have been swallowed up in time and distraction. This in you which others have equally criticized and praised. This part of you offered to Me. This part that you have kept hidden and offered just to Me for fear of being rejected. Here you know it is Me who give this to You and is not of your own making.
You have delighted Me with your voice and I will gift you to sing forth in Spirit and truth. I will gift the sound to draw all men unto Me. I gift and you offer back in gladness of heart and with awe. How delightful this time for you, My love. I have said I would enlarge your platform and I do this in a way you never thought possible – with the sound of your songs unto Me. With the sound of My spirit flowing through you, in your own words and spirit meeting with Mine flowing out. Will not you sing forth your part and Mine as well. I will give you sound of both. Receive this impartation, My love. Thank you for feeling the quietest prompting to come receive of Me. It was an invitation to receive the anointing of the sound. I give you new sounds to hear and sing forth. Let them hear the sound of My singing over my people.
Psalm 96: 1-13
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns.’ The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.”
Luke 19:37-40
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'”
Ephesians 5:15-20
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Worship Encounter
Lovely || Explicitly Spiritual Content || Spontaneous Worship by Eric Gilmour