Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 1. The singers. — Christians. 2. The song itself. Three divisions. (1) Psalms. — They are the composures of holy David. (2) Hymns. — They are the songs of some other excellent men recorded in Scripture, as Moses, Heman, Asaph, etc. (3) Spiritual songs. — They are odes of some other holy and good men not mentioned in Scripture, as the song of , Nepos, and others. 3. Some aver that these several speeches mentioned in the text, answer the Hebrew distinction of psalms. But I may add, Are not all these several species mentioned to prefigure the plenty and the joy which is reserved for the saints within the veil, when they shall join in concert with the glorious angels in singing their perpetual hallelujahs to their glorious Creator? 3. The manner of singing. Our text saith, "making melody"; with inward joy and tripudiation of soul; if the tongue make the pause, the heart must make the elevation. 4. The master of the choir, the preceptor. That is, the "heart." 5. The end of the duty — "To the Lord." Our singing must not serve our gain, or our luxury, or our fancy; but our Lord. The several parts of the text being thus opened, they may be set together again in this Divine and excellent truth: In the ordinance of singing, we must not make noise, but music; and the heart must make melody to the Lord. In this service we must study more to act the Christian than the musician. We must sing David's psalms with David's spirit. I. We will show the Divine authority of this ordinance. II. We will show the sweetness of it. III. The universal practice of it. IV. We shall show the honours God hath put upon this ordinance. V. And then come to the main case. VI. And make application. I. For the first: WE SHALL SHOW THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THIS ORDINANCE. 1. From Scripture precept. And here we have divers commands laid upon us, both in the Old and New Testament. David, who among his honourable titles obtains this, to be called "the sweet singer of Israel" (2 Samuel 23:1) — he frequently calls upon himself: "I will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high" (Psalm 7:17). And sometimes he calls upon others: "Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works" (1 Chronicles 16:9). Nay, sometimes He summons the whole earth to join in this duty: "Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day His salvation " (1 Chronicles 16:23; Psalm 68:32). And holy Hezekiah — he propagated this service (2 Chronicles 29:30). Nay, in their times when the royal majesty was lodged in Judah, singers were a peculiar office enjoined constantly to sing the praises of the Lord (1 Kings 10:12). And Jehoshaphat "appointed singers "(2 Chronicles 20:21). Nay, and Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and Ethan, men eminent and holy, were employed in this holy service (2 Chronicles 5:12). But why should I light a candle at noon day? Thus this harmonious service was most usual and most acceptable in the times of the law. 2. From Scripture argument. And I shall only take out one shaft out of the whole quiver. I shall use one argument among many, which is this, namely, we always find this duty of singing psalms linked to and joined with other moral duties (Psalm 95:1, 6; James 5:13). 3. From Scripture pattern. Moses both pens a psalm, namely, the ninetieth; and sings a holy song, and Exodus 15. is the record of it. So David tripudiates in the practice of this delightful service (Psalm 104:33). 4. From Scripture prophecy. Divers prophecies in the Old Testament concerning this ordinance in the New. So in Psalm 108:3; upon which Mollerus observes, that in that text David pours forth ardent prayers and wishes for the kingdom of Christ. And so divines observe that the first and second verses of Psalm 100 are prophetical: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing." To which may be added that pregnant prophecy recorded in Isaiah 52:8. II. WE MAY TAKE NOTICE OF THE SWEETNESS OF THIS DUTY. Singing is the soul's jubilee, our spiritual recreation, the shout of the heart, our tuning of our hallelujahs, the sweetest solace of a sanctified soul. 1. Singing is the music of nature (Isaiah 44:23; Psalm 65:13). 2. Singing is the music of ordinances. reports of himself, that when he came to Milan and heard the people sing, he wept for joy. 3. Singing is the music of saints. (1) They have performed this duty in their greatest numbers (Psalm 149:2). (2) In their greatest straits (Isaiah 26:19). (3) In their greatest flight (Isaiah 42:10, 11). (4) In their greatest deliverances (Isaiah 65:14. (5) In their greatest plenties. 4. Singing is the music of angels (Job 38:7; Luke 2:13). 5. Singing is the music of heaven (Revelation 15:8). III. THE UNIVERSAL PRACTICE OF THIS DUTY. It has been practised — 1. By all varieties of persons. (1) By Christ and His apostles (Matthew 26:30). (2) By godly princes (2 Chronicles 29:30). (3) Worthy governors (2 Chronicles 5:12). (4) Holy prophets (Psalm 156:2. Deuteronomy 32). (5) The body of the people.As singing is not too low for kings, so not too choice for subjects. The whole multitude sometimes engaged in the harmony: "Then Israel sang this song" (Numbers 21:17). The people's voice may make melody, as the lesser birds contribute to the music of the grove, their chirping notes filling up the harmony. 2. In all ages. This service of singing to God was soon started in the world. Moses, the first penman of Scripture — he both sung a song and penned a psalm, as we hinted before. In the Judges' times, Deborah and Barak sang a triumphant song (Judges 5:1, 2, etc.). During the time of the kings of Judah, the Levites sang the praises of God in the sanctuary. A little before the captivity, we find the Church praising God in singing (Isaiah 35:2). In the time of the captivity, Israel did not forget the songs of Zion, though they were in Babylon (Psalm 126:2). After their return from captivity, we soon find them return to this joyous service (Nehemiah 7:1). Their long exile had not banished this duty. Towards the close of their prophet's prophesying, the Church is again engaged in this part of God's worship (Zephaniah 3:15, 17). 3. In all places. Moses praiseth God by singing in the wilderness, throughout Exodus 15. David practises this duty in the tabernacle (Psalm 47:6); Solomon in the temple (1 Kings 10:12); Jehoshaphat in the camp (2 Chronicles 20:21); Christ and His apostles in a particular chamber (Matthew 26:80); and Paul and Silas in an uncomfortable prison (Acts 16:25). We may say of singing, as the apostle speaks of prayer: "I will," saith he, "that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands" (1 Timothy 2:8). 4. In all conditions. (1) In a time of cheerfulness and inward joy. The Apostle James commands us then to take the advantage of singing psalms (James 5:13). Joy may excite, must not stifle, this duty. (2) In a time of affliction. Paul and Silas sang in prison, a place of sorrow and confinement (Acts 16:25). A chain might bind their feet, but not their tongue; while others sleep, they sing, and turn their dungeon into a chapel. (3) In a time of fear. When some would press Luther with the dangers the Church was in, and what a black cloud hung over Zion, he would call for Psalm 46 to be sung; and he thought that psalm was a charm against all fears whatsoever. And since, this psalm is called "Luther's psalm," his sacred spell against invading fears. 5. By all sexes. Miriam sings a song to God, as well as Moses (Exodus 15:21). Rivet well observes, "God is the Lord of both sexes." Women, though they are removed by apostolical command from the desk or pulpit, yet they are not debarred the choir, to join in that harmony where God's praises are elevated. IV. AND NOW WE COME TO SPEAK OF THAT HONOUR WHICH GOD HATH PUT UPON THIS HEAVENLY DUTY. And this will appear in three things; namely — 1. God hath honoured this duty with glorious appearances. This we find upon record in 2 Chronicles 5:13. 2. With eminent victories (2 Chronicles 20:21, 22). 3. With evident miracles (Acts 16:25, 26). V. And now I come to the main case, HOW WE MAY MAKE MELODY IN OUR HEARTS TO GOD IN SINGING OF PSALMS. 1. We must sing with understanding. We must not be guided by the tune, but the words, of the psalm; we must mind the matter more than the music, and consider what we sing, as well as how we sing. 2. We must sing with affection. Love is the fulfilling of this law. It is a notable saying of St. : "It is not crying, but loving, that sounds in the ears of God." The pretty child sings a mean song; but it delights the mother, because there is love on both sides. 3. We must sing with real grace. This the apostle admonishes us (Colossians 3:16). It is grace, not nature, sweetens the voice to sing. We must draw out our spices, our graces, in this duty. 4. We must slug with excited grace. Not only with grace habitual, but with excited and actual. The musical instrument delights not but when it is played upon. The clock must be plucked up before it can guide our time; the bird pleaseth not in her nest, but in her notes; the chimes only make music while they are going. Let us therefore beg the Spirit to "blow upon our garden, that the spices thereof may flow out," when we set upon this joyous service (Song of Solomon 4:16). God loves active grace in duty; that the soul should be ready trimmed, when it presents itself to God in any worship. 5. We must sing with spiritual joy. Indeed, singing only makes joy articulate; it is only the turning of bullion into coin; as the prophet speaks to this purpose (Isaiah 65:14). Singing is only the triumphant gladness of a gracious heart, a softer rapture. 6. We must sing with faith. 7. We must sing in the Spirit. 8. Purify thy heart. 9. Neglect not preparatory prayer. 1. Those who despise this ordinance do not consider the holy ends of this duty; namely — (1) Psalms are sung for instruction. (2) Psalms are sung for admonition. (3) Psalms are sung for praise and thanksgiving. 2. Nor do such consider the rare effects of this duty, namely, of singing to the Lord: and they are — (1) Singing can sweeten a prison. Thus Paul and Silas indulcorated their bondage by this service (Acts 16:25). (2) Singing can prepare us for sufferings. When Christ was ready to be offered up, He sang an hymn with His disciples: Christ sups and sings, then dies. (3) Singing lightens and exhilarates the soul. 3. Nor do such consider the sweet allurements which draw us to this duty. And if we inquire what it is that puts us upon rejoicing in God by singing, I shall tell you — (1) The good Spirit. That heavenly principle both leads us to this duty, and helps us in it. (2) The joyous heart. Holy singing is both the sign and vent of joy. The little child is pained, and then it cries; the saint is surprised with joy, and then it breaks out into singing. (3) A sense of obedience. To sing praises to the Lord is a duty which the saints know not how to wave or respite. I. This checks those who scruple this ordinance. Surely this must proceed from the evil one, turning himself into an angel of light. II. Let this check those who suspend and neglect this heavenly ordinance. III. This likewise checks those who formalize in this duty; who act a part, not a duty. They make a noise, and not music; and more provoke the eyes, than please the ears, of God. Bernard makes two conditions of grateful singing. 1. "We must sing purely, minding what we sing; nor must we act or think anything besides; there must be no vain or vagrant thoughts; no dissonancy between the mind and the tongue. 2. "We must sing strenuously, not idly, not sleepily or perfunctorily." IV. Let us get an interest in Christ. If we are not in Christ, we are certainly out of tune. The singing of a sinner is natural, like the singing of a bird. But the singing of a saint is musical, like the singing of a child. We are accepted in Christ in this offer of love. Therefore let us get into Christ: He can raise our voice in singing to a pleasing elevation. V. Let us sometimes raise our hearts in holy contemplation. Let us think of the music of the bride chamber. There shall be no cracked strings, displeasing sounds, harsh voices, nothing to abate or remit our melody; there shall be no willows to hang up our harps upon. (J. Wells, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; |
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