What a delightful revelation that GOD IS SINGING OVER HIS FAITHFUL CHILDREN with love & rejoicing!

Ever wonder why singing is mentioned, esp.in the New Testament? Of course, a lot of singing was done under the Old Testament already, always with rejoicing. Why is it important, even commanded, to sing to our faithful God and Father? One aspect, is it not a loving response to God’s singing over us? His love and care? And is this not one thing that we will get to bring from our earthly lives into eternity? We will sing around the throne! Our praises will often be in song. Look at Rev. 5:8, 13; 15:3 — it gives us a look into heaven, a foretaste of what will be.

This command to sing, while still here on earth, opens up wider thoughts: we love God and therefore we keep His commandments! “This is love for God: to obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world” 1 John 5:3,4a. Already, a deep study of the Old Testament reveals that, though the Law was pointing out the sinfulness of men, it actually showed that God’s commandments were, and still are today, to protect, provide for and preserve his people’s lives and spiritual inheritance. God truly is love!

Now modern science and research has found out some remarkable facts about the benefit of singing: it has a positive effect on people’s health! One study, based on self-reported data from a survey of students who sang in a choir, found perceived benefits including increased lung capacity (this mostly from being well instructed), improved mood, stress reduction, as well as perceived social and spiritual benefits. It is becoming a more widely known method of increasing an individual’s overall health and wellness, in turn helping them to battle diseases such as cancer more effectively due to decreased stress, releasing of endorphins, and increased lung capacity. John Daniel Scott, among others, have cited that “people who sing are more likely to be happy.” This is because “singing elevates the levels of neurotransmitters which are associated with pleasure and wellbeing.”

In another study, 21 members of a choir at three different points over 1 year, were interviewed. Three themes emerged suggesting three areas of benefits: the social impact (connectedness with others), personal impact (positive emotions, self-perception, etc.), and functional outcomes (health benefits of being in the choir). Findings showed that a sense of wellbeing is associated with singing, by uplifting the mood of the participants and releasing endorphins in the brain. Many singers also reported that singing helped them regulate stress and relax, allowing them to deal better with their daily lives. Even a study about language processing and production has a link to music concerning certain areas in the brain. In our acapella worship we are that choir that can truly benefit from God’s loving provisions!

Singing has been shown to help stroke victims recover speech. By teaching stroke victims to sing their words, this can help train this area of the brain for speech; it may retrain the right hemisphere of the brain, the “singing center” to help produce speech. Our health benefits from singing!

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” — Psalm 139:14 and, whatever God commands does not bring burdens or grief, but only what is for our greatest benefit!