The Service of Song
N. Byfield. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs… I. THE DUTY. 1. Singing is God's ordinance, binding all sorts of men (Ephesians 6:19; James 5:13; Psalm 66:1-2; Psalm 92:1; Psalm 135:3). This is a part of our piety, and is a most comely thing. 2. A Christian should recreate himself chiefly this way (James 5:13). God does not allow us to shoulder out this with other recreations. 3. We should sing in our houses as well as in our Churches. (1) For daily exercise (Psalm 101:1-2). (2) When Christians meet together (1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19). II. THE MANNER. 1. We should teach and admonish by singing, and that — (1) ourselves, by considering the matter. (2) Others, as ministers in appointing hymns for the congregation, or masters of the family, or when Christians meet, there should be choice of such psalms as may comfort or rebuke according to occasion (1 Corinthians 14:26). 2. We must sing with grace. This is diversely interpreted; some understand it of the dexterity that should be used in singing; others of the comeliness, right order, reverence, or delight of the heart; others of thanksgiving. Rut I think that to sing with grace is to exercise the graces of the heart in singing, i.e., with holy joy (Psalm 9:2); trust in God's mercies (Psalm 13:5); a holy commemoration of God's benefits (Psalm 47:6); yea, with the desire of our hearts that our singing may be acceptable (Psalm 104:33-34). 3. We must sing with our hearts, not with our tongues only for ostentation. To sing with the heart is to sing with the understanding (Psalm 47:7; 1 Corinthians 14:14), with sense and feeling. Hence we are said to prepare our hearts before we sing (Psalm 57:7). Then we must sing earnestly and awake out of our lethargy (Psalm 57:8). 4. We must sing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19), both to God's glory and with a sense of His presence, and upon a holy remembrance of His blessings. III. THE USES. 1. For instruction. When we are merry to sing psalms (James 5:13), yea, to account this a heavenly melody (Ephesians 5:19). 2. For reproof of such as delight in profane songs. (N. Byfield.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.