Most of us have never endured the trials faced by Paul and Silas—beaten, imprisoned, and fastened in stocks. Yet, in Acts 16, we find them at midnight, not despairing or blaming God, but praying and singing hymns to Him. Their example reminds us that no matter the circumstances, worship can flow from a heart devoted to God.
Romans 6:17-18
The Power of Singing
Singing is a unique and powerful way to worship God anytime and anywhere. James 5:13 encourages us:
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
God created us with the ability to lift our voices in song, and He desires for us to use this gift to glorify Him. Singing is not dependent on man-made instruments; it is a heartfelt act of worship. As Ephesians 5:18-19 commands:
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Here, the emphasis is on singing from the heart. The melody we make is not with external instruments but with the strings of our hearts, plucked by our spirit towards God.
The New Testament Pattern
Under the New Covenant, the inspired Word of God gives us specific instructions for worship. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find a command to use musical instruments in worship. Instead, we see examples of Jesus and His disciples singing together. For instance, before going to the Mount of Olives, they sang a hymn:
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:30).
Every individual present in that moment had the same God-given instrument: their voice, attached to a heart tuned to worship. Similarly, Colossians 3:16 teaches:
“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.”
Paul, writing by inspiration, underscores that singing is not merely an external act but one rooted in the grace and gratitude of the heart.
Worship Without Addition
God has clearly set forth the pattern for worship in the New Testament. If we add to or take away from His commands, we risk disobedience. Revelation 22:18-19 warns:
“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
The principle of not going beyond what is written is echoed in 1 Corinthians 4:6:
“That you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”
If we introduce practices like instrumental music that are not authorized in the New Testament, we risk altering the worship God has commanded.
Confidence in the Command
Someone might argue, “I think I can use instrumental music in worship and still please God,” even though there is no New Testament passage to support this. My response is simple: I know from Scripture that using only my voice, accompanied by a heart devoted to God, is pleasing to Him. I can worship with confidence, knowing my actions align with the written Word of God.
Paul concludes in 1 Corinthians 14:15:
“I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”
This understanding is grounded in God’s Word and ensures our worship is acceptable in His sight.
The Seriousness of Following God’s Word
Worship is a serious matter. Jesus Himself said:
John 12:48-50 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (49) For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. (50) And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."
If we truly desire to please God, we must follow the inspired teachings of the New Testament. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:11:
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.”
In worship, we must strive to glorify God according to His revealed will, not according to our own preferences or traditions.
A Heartfelt Thanks to God
God has blessed us with the ability to lift our voices in praise, and we should cherish this gift. Hebrews 2:12 declares:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
Let us use the instrument God has given us—our voice—and the melody of our hearts to glorify His name. When we worship as He commands, we honor Him and remain confident in our obedience to His will.
May we always sing with grace in our hearts, lifting our voices in praise to the Creator who has given us all things. Thank you, God, for giving us the instrument of voice and the ability to lift it up and glorify Your Holy Name.
Written by Wayne Robbins
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