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Singing.


In the O.T. we find there were courses of singers, and there were some who were 'taught to sing praise.' Instruments were also appointed for the singers. 1 Kings 10: 12. In Hab. 3: 19, at the end of the prophet's poetical 'prayer,' it says, "To the chief singer on my stringed instruments." "The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels." Ps. 68: 25.


Such organised choirs have no place in the N.T. They that worship God "must worship him in spirit and in truth." This also applies to the singing: "I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." 1 Cor. 14: 15: cf. 1 Cor. 14: 26. "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody [or chanting] in your heart to the Lord." Eph. 5: 19. "In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col. 3: 16. There will be singing in heaven. Rev. 5: 9. Singing and PRAISE naturally go together. At the institution of the Lord's supper they 'sang a hymn,' margin 'psalm,' μνω. Matt. 26: 30. The same word is translated 'sang praises' unto God, when Paul and Silas were in prison, Acts 16: 25; and the Lord sings praise in the midst of the assembly. Ps. 22: 22; Heb. 2: 12.