Singing to Get the Spirit

Musical Experiment

“Restful Soul” by Myra Alibrando

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I really hope you are listening to these nature narration 99-second audio clips. I believe you will enjoy them.

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Nursery Rhymes

We remember silly children's songs and maybe some popular songs we wish we didn't sing. There is something about an easy melody, that glues the lyrics in our mind much easier than the words without the music.

For that reason, I have set 20-30 scriptures to music over the decades. In the late 1970's I wrote one to this passage:

. . . be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,  Ephesians 5:18b-20

The way it breaks down is kind of interesting, as if explaining at least one way to be filled with the Spirit is singing. Really?

Sing from the Heart

Not just singing from your mouth, though, singing in your heart. Some translations say "from" your heart, while still others translate "with your heart". 

Sing to Each Other?

We are commanded many times in the Psalms (which are songs) to sing to the Lord. 

However, what is most amazing to me, is that this verse says to "speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs".  It is like adding a new kind of language for His children.

My wife and I will sometimes sing together. We don't agree to do this, one of us just starts singing something familiar, then the other joins in. It is very pleasant. Occasionally, she has asked me to sing her to sleep, which is more common to do for an infant or young child. Music is a nice addition to relationships, I think.

I'm not sure if there is any other religion in the world that commands its followers to sing or sing to one another. This is not one of the 10 commandments, but it is definitely frequent enough to realize God is serious about this.

Oxytocin Release Brings Bonding

I have been on different missions traveling in vans or buses where we would all sing many songs together.

Studies have been done proving there is a release of oxytocin when folks sing together. It literally counters the stress hormone, cortisol. God knows all of this before these hormones were ever discovered and named.

Intentional Gratitude

If this was an English grammar class, I suppose I have not yet completed the idea here until I emphasize giving thanks to God . . . not necessarily singing thanks to God, although that would be absolutely fine as thanksgiving and worship. But this verse says to sing to one another . . . always giving thanks to God. It seems simultaneously two things.

What a delightful family or friend culture to have more music, not only in the home, but singing together, spontaneously, anywhere with a heart always grateful to God.

Recipe for Being Filled with the Spirit

Remember, we are experimenting with obeying a scripture that lays down a recipe for being filled with the Spirit. 

You could do this while you are jogging or doing the dishes. You could do this while doing the laundry or commuting somewhere. No matter what you are doing, if your heart is happy and you are being filled with the Spirit, you will do whatever you are doing with more energy and joy. I can think of a lot worse habits to start.

But this particular scripture makes the singing as a type of encouraging language. We sing to each other!

Logical Command Aligned with other Scripture

If you are something of a Bible student, this actually does fit quite nicely in line with some other scriptural ideas. 

• Give thanks in all things 1 Thessalonians 5:18

• Thinking positively  Philippians 4:8

• Encourage one another 1 Thessalonians 5:11

• Sing to God Psalm 95:1-2

• Sing a new song the FIRST VERSE of Psalms 95, 96, 98, 149

I know most won't look up these verses, but I do want to keep my devotionals short.  In fact, there are a whole lot more verses I could have provided. 

If this really works, and through singing we can be filled with the Spirit, here again is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-contol. Totally worth the experiment.

Have a great, musical week, singing from your heart in order to be filled with the Spirit.

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Thanks again to Jean Balaga for pointing out I gave 1st Timothy instead of 2nd Timothy for one of the scripture quotes last week. Great verse.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

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In case you missed it, here is that same nature narration again. Blessings.