Singing: The Music of Nature, Saints, and Heaven

Singing is the universal language of creation itself. The mountains sing their praise (Isaiah 54:12), the valleys echo with melody (Psalm 65:13), and the trees of the wood lift their voices (1 Chronicles 16:33). Even the birds make the air their music room, chanting their notes without ceasing.

Augustine wept with joy upon entering the church in Milan and hearing the congregation sing—such was the power of united voices raised in worship. Theodore Beza, hearing Psalm 91 sung at his first church gathering, felt exceedingly comforted; that melody remained imprinted upon his heart forever after.

The saints of God have always sung in all circumstances. They sang in their greatest numbers, in their deepest straits, in their moments of deliverance, and in their abundant provision. Every condition of life has been met with this stated duty and delight.

Yet singing belongs not only to earth. The morning stars sang together at creation's dawn (Job 38:7)—these are the angels themselves, aciēm angelōrum, a host of heaven. When the heavenly multitude announced our Saviour's birth, they delivered their message in laudatory song, making one perfect musical choir. And now in heaven itself, the glorious saints and angels accent their praises together, singing hallelujahs to the Most High and the Lamb upon the throne (Revelation 5:11). Those who tuned their Psalms on earth now sing in louder strain, articulating joys they could never perfectly express below.