Help! I Can’t Sing!
Ed Whittlesey
What comes to mind when you think of singing?
We have all probably known or observed someone who
does not do a very good job of actively joining in the
song service during worship. A majority of the time, the
phrase “Help! I can’t sing” really translates into “I sing
out of tune,” or “I cannot read music.” While those
might be valid reasons in our secular world for not
singing, they do not excuse our responsibility to sing in
worship. In the same way, we might not be very good
offering prayer, but does that mean we stop praying?
If this becomes our collective approach, then the
singing, or worship for that matter, is unacceptable.
God deserves our best. We must not lose focus and
allow selfishness and pride to supercede our purpose
for singing. Let’s consider a few things regarding our
purpose and duty to sing, as well as ways to improve
our singing to the Lord.
Above all, the most important reason we sing is to
offer God our expressions of praise, thanksgiving,
hope, and dependence. David displays such great
determination to sing and praise God in Psalm 146:2,
“While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to
my God while I have my being.” While in prison, Paul
and Silas convey their dependence on God through
praying and singing hymns to Him, while prisoners
were listening, Acts 16:25. We should regard our
singing as speaking directly to God, and the words,
therefore, should be spoken in sincerity and awe.
Together in song, we pour our hearts out to the Lord.
Then our voices, united in praise, are sweet and
beautiful to Him.
Another purpose for singing is to edify one another,
and thereby promote purity of heart. Several of
the songs we sing were written to help us in this regard.
In the context of Ephesians 5:19, it is the will of the Lord
that we “be filled with the Spirit by speaking to one
another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in our hearts to Him.” In so doing,
we strengthen and encourage each other to walk
wisely. Having been enriched by the word of Christ, we
are able to teach and admonish each other in song, and
express thanksgiving in our hearts to the Lord,
Colossians 3:16. What an invaluable blessing and
opportunity Christians of all ages have to be able to
teach, admonish, encourage and edify each other by
singing together.
In terms of improving our singing in worship,
whether we sing “in tune” or “read music” is not of
utmost importance. What is more important to God is
singing from our hearts. Again, David serves as a
wonderful example saying, “I will praise You with my
whole heart...I will sing praises to You,” Psalm 138:1.
The Lord knows our hearts, 1 Samuel 16:7, and understands
that our musical abilities differ. Sometimes too
much emphasis is placed on how our singing sounds.
While we certainly do not want to discount the quality
of our singing, it must be remembered that everyone
can sing in a way which pleases God. When we sing
with understanding, 1 Corinthians 14:15, and emotion,
God appreciates our efforts. Focusing on pleasing
God will go a long way toward improving our singing.
With this purpose in mind, we can work toward
enhancing our singing by sitting close together or
beside somebody who knows music and can sing well.
Another suggestion is to hold the songbook in such a
position that allows for an easier view of the song and
the song leader. As a result, we’ll be able to follow the
song leader’s direction and not get ahead of or behind
the tempo which has been established. Furthermore,
we should take advantage of every opportunity to learn
more about the mechanics of music. Listening to CD’s
of hymns and attending singings serve as great methods
by which we can do so. Singing is like most other
activities, the more we put into it, the more we get out
of it.
In conclusion, much of the “Help! I can’t sing”
business stems from too much emphasis on the music
or sound alone. Instead, our purpose should be that of
singing and praising God from the heart. By doing so,
we also teach and encourage our fellow brothers and
sisters to live according to His will. Singing in worship
is not about talent or musical ability; it’s about trying to
please God. The desire to please God comes from
within the heart. With this as our purpose, we can be
content knowing that we offered God our best effort to
praise and adore Him as we worship in song.