Singing in Our Churches and Schools by John B. Dymot

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1908

Singing in Our Churches and Schools

By John B. Dymot

Sing Praise

THE Lord has chosen and formed a people for himself, that they might set forth his praise. Isa. 43:21. The Saviour said, “In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise.” Heb. 2:12. “As a part of religious service singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer.”—Education, page 168. “The earliest as well as the most sublime of poetic utterances known to man are found in the Scriptures.”—Ibid., page 159.

From these statements we learn that God’s people are chosen to praise him; that our Saviour’s example to the congregation was praise to God in song; that, important as prayer is, singing is equally important as an act of worship in religious service; and that the Scriptures furnish us the most sublime songs for this purpose.

All Sing

“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.” Ps. 81:1. “At their deliverance from Pharaoh’s army, the whole host of Israel had joined in the song of triumph. Far over desert and sea rang the joyous refrain, and the mountains re-echoed the accents of praise, ‘Sing ye to Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously.’ Often on the journey was this song repeated, cheering the hearts and kindling the faith of the pilgrim travelers.”—Education, page 39.

Thus we see that the song of praise for deliverance was not sung alone by Miriam or Moses, but that “the whole host of Israel had joined in;” that it was so loud that the mountains re-echoed it; that thus they cheered one another on their way; that God would have us sing his praise aloud and with a joyful noise, and “as the children of Israel, journeying through the wilderness, cheered their way by the music of sacred song, so God bids his children to-day gladden their pilgrim life.”—Ibid., page 167. If God bids us do this, shall we say we can not?

Fixing God’s Word in Mind

“As the people journeyed through the wilderness, many precious lessons were fixed in their minds by means of song.”—Ibid., page 39. “There are few means more effective for fixing his words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such song has wonderful power.”—Ibid., page 167.

It is plain that if all would learn to sing God’s Word, that word would be in them a power for good. Do you not want this wonderful power of song?

Chanting the Commandments

“The commandments as given from Sinai, with promises of God’s favor and records of his wonderful works for their deliverance, were by divine direction expressed in song, and were chanted to the sound of instrumental music, the people keeping step as their voices united in praise.”—Ibid., page 39.

“As they journeyed [to the several yearly feasts held at Jerusalem], . . . the songs that had cheered the wilderness wandering were sung. God’s commandments were chanted, and . . . forever fixed in the memory of many a child and youth.”—Ibid., page 42. If we would train up our children in the way they should go, let us not forget this divine direction.

Our School Songs

“Samuel, by the Lord’s direction, established the schools of the prophets. . . . The chief subjects of study in these schools were the law of God, with the instruction given to Moses; sacred history; sacred music and poetry.”—Ibid., pages 47, 48.

Our schools are, as we believe, established at the Lord’s direction. In these schools, let sacred music and poetry take its place among the “chief subjects.”

Is the Time Now?

“Amid the deepening shadows of earth’s last great crisis, God’s light will shine brightest, and the song of hope and trust will be heard in clearest and loftiest strains.”—Ibid., page 166.

In the Hereafter

In the school of the hereafter “there will be music there, and song. . . . ‘As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there.’ ‘They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of Jehovah.’”—Ibid., page 307; Ps. 87:7; Isa. 24:14.

“The life on earth is the beginning of the life in heaven.”—Ibid.

JOHN B. DYMOT.