God Made the Psalms to be Sung

It should be clear in scripture—God made the psalms to be sung. We know this first because it is what the word “psalm” means. It is a synonym of the word “song.” The Psalms are of course great literature, beloved devotional poems. But God wrote them as songs.

Second, we know this because the psalm inscriptions are filled with musical terms. They were delivered “to the chief musician,” or to the “music leader,” as it may be translated.

Third, Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 refer to psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as being sung. “Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” is at the core of our spiritual life in both of these passages. Even in the New Testament, with Jews and Gentiles, the psalms were to be sung.

Finally—an illustration. A birthday cake usually has words—such as “Happy Birthday! We love you!” But the sweetness of the cake also sends a message. It is made not just to be read, but to be joyfully eaten. Likewise, God wants us to experience sweetness in singing truth. David was called the sweet psalmist of Israel because his psalms were pleasant to sing. (That kind of pleasure is different than entertainment-oriented worship.)

If you haven’t yet experienced the sweetness of singing psalms, don’t give up. Look for the best settings. Study how to sing them. Seek to understand them. Enjoy the delight God intends in His songs.