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The True Purpose of Song

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 38.

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_The True Purpose of Song_

By Charles P. Whitford

CHARLES P. WHITFORD
In the thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah we have a pen-picture of this sin-cursed earth when it shall have been restored to its Edenic beauty.
When the children of God are permitted to go to that beautiful country, it is said of them: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Again, in Isa. 65:14, the Lord, speaking through his prophet, says, “Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart.”
The true purpose of song is beautifully expressed in Ps. 21:13: “Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.” True song is an expression of gratitude to our Heavenly Father. “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” 1 Chron. 16:25.
Our Heavenly Father and the dear Saviour should be the objects of all praise and adoration in our singing; but I have often thought that many times the true purpose of song was either forgotten or not at all understood. The gift of song was not bestowed to gratify the perverted tastes of those who know not God, and who do not love him. It has a higher and nobler mission than simply to please or excite.
Singing is only another way of preaching; and when we sing “with the spirit,” and “with the understanding also” (1 Cor. 14:15), it becomes a means of instruction in spiritual things. It is not pleasing to God for us to sing the words of a hymn simply for the melody to which they are attached, or to make a display of the gift God has given us. Neither is it pleasing to God to sing the words of a hymn in a careless and irreverent manner.
We should seek to realize the full import of the words we are singing, and then articulate distinctly so that every word may be understood by the listeners. We should always remember the admonition in 1 Cor. 10:31: “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Daytona, Fla.