Who doesn’t like to sing? Some of us sing well, and …. well, some of us sing like Lucy Riccardo on I Love Lucy. I’ve been told I do. Some of us hum and sing when we are nervous; my brother does that. Which actually helps relax you as you breathe differently when you sing. And some of us only sing in the shower where the acoustics help us out.
It’s a fact that singing is good for you. "It has a positive effect in that it reduces stress levels which helps our well-being. It can also be considered a good work-out, even if sitting because it is an aerobic activity that brings oxygen into the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body. It’s also psychologically beneficial as singing together in a chorus or group promotes a sense of community, sharing and belonging to a common cause." Ref: Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London
"Regular exercising of the vocal cords can even prolong life, because you are exercising your lungs and heart. Not only that, your body produces ‘feel good’ hormones called endorphins, which rush around your body when you sing. Not only can it increase lung capacity, it improves posture, clears respiratory tubes and sinuses, and can increase mental alertness through greater oxygenation. It even tones the muscles of your stomach and back, that is if you’re singing correctly." Ref: www.guardian.co.uk
So, singing helps you live longer, enhances your mental state and even helps keep wrinkles off your face. A study at the University of California has reported higher levels of immune system proteins upon singing/choral participation. Doesn’t this make you want to break out in song?
Ahhh, then there are the songbirds we all know, who sing well, and what a delight they are to hear.
What does singing have to do with ‘make a joyful noise unto the Lord?’ ….Psalm 100 says…" Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing."
Does God like us to sing to Him? What does the Bible say?
Singing is a delight to our Lord, who mentions often throughout His Book about singing praises and thanks to Him. He doesn’t care about acoustics or if we sound like Lucy; He takes pleasure in our devotion of singing.
Zephaniah :17 tells us - "…He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
One of the most popular Christian songs that praises and sings straight to Our Lord is one that most of us know:
Lord, I lift Your name on high
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
I’m so glad You’re in my life
I’m so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord, I lift Your name on high [by Rick Founds]
We have grace in our hearts when we sing to the Lord. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col. 3:16)."
When we sing to God, we sing with our spirit and mind. "What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also." 1 Cor 14:15
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." (Eph. 5:19)
"O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to God all the earth.” Psalm 96 – And there are many more.
Try lifting up your heart to the Lord by singing songs in gratitude and praise. It will improve your life and your health and delight the Lord.
Here is a pleasant, relaxing example of praise to the Lord by Laurie Klein - Maranatha - who sings "I Love You, Lord".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5DnUvrxpeM
and a more upbeat….." Lord I Lift Your Name On High"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBezK_v_FqY SING ALONG - IT’S GOOD FOR YOU! AND MAKE GOD SMILE…….
