The maxim in the above headline is paraphrased from text written by St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), the great Fifth Century Bishop of North Africa. He wrote a commentary on Psalm 73 in which he explained:
“For he that singeth praise, not only praiseth, but only praiseth with gladness: he that singeth praise, not only singeth, but also loveth him of whom he singeth. In praise, there is the speaking forth of one confessing; in singing, the affection of one loving.”
As the centuries passed, this passage has been condensed to “He who sings prays twice.”
When I examine St. Augustine’s passage , it seems that he is saying that when one sings a scriptural passage, one’s love for God is invoked to a higher degree than when one simply recites the passage (“but also loveth him”). In other words, singing adds an extra dimension to the text, which may not be present during recitation.
This should not be surprising, as many philosophers and theologians throughout the centuries have recognized the powerful emotional effect that music has on the heart and mind.
“Music is a moral law,” as Plato explained. “It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”
“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy,” Beethoven indicated. And Martin Luther explained, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”
Singing seems to be God’s favorite form of prayer. The Old Testament instructs us to “sing to the Lord” at least 15 times and the New Testament contains at least twelve references to singing.
The Book of Revelation tells us that heaven is continually filled with the songs of the saints. It seems you can’t get away from singing once you’ve passed through the celestial gates.
Why do we sing? We sing because that is what the people of God do in God’s presence. We can’t help it. Our love naturally exhibits itself by spontaneous singing.
Whether our voices are trained or untrained, strong or weak, on key or off key, silky smooth like Perry Como or grating like Louis Armstrong, really doesn’t make a difference. When everyone in a congregation sings the hymns heartily, the effect can be a divine experience, bringing each and every member closer to God through the powerful emotions created within the heart by voicing the sacred texts and melodies.
I encourage you to sing with gusto and abandon, and raise the roof of Grace Lutheran. You might as well start now, because, according to Revelations, that’s what you’ll be doing for the rest of eternity after you pass through the pearly gates.
I also cordially invite you to join our Chancel Choir and help us sing the Offertory Anthem at the second service.
By Henry Doktorski
Music Director, Grace Lutheran Church