“The singing of God’s praises is a third means of advancing sanctification, an excellent and salutary practice that we can properly call psalmody.
Holy singing is a practice highly recommended in the books of both Old Testament and New Testament economies, both as a duty owed to God (being an aspect of spiritual worship) and as a means of promoting our spiritual condition.
As with prayer and the reading of the Word of God, we can consider holy singing under both of these categories. But I will focus on it here as a means for growing in the spiritual life:
“Sing to Him; sing psalms to Him; consider and tell all the amazing things He has done” (Ps. 105:2)
“Speak to one another [he uses an expression from Ps. 145:11] in psalms [the songs of the saints often sung in ancient times with the accompaniment of musical instruments] and hymns [often sung a cappella in praise and celebration of God] and spiritual songs [carefully composed choruses on a variety of subjects], as you sing and chant in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom, as you teach and build up each other through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16)
“Is any among you sick in spirit? He should pray. Is any in a healthy mind and happy? He should sing psalms” (James 5:13).
Although there is no explicit reference to the practice of singing in the precepts of Christ Jesus, it was established as a religious observance in His day. Not only during the time of the Old Testament sanctuary but also in the period of the synagogue, even the reading of Scripture and prayer were generally cantillated or chanted.
The Lord left in place earlier practices that did not conflict with the economy of the church that He had come to establish. He Himself, when He was celebrating the Passover with His disciples, sang the Great Hallel (Matt. 26:30).
It cannot be doubted that Christ customarily took His part in the other religious festivals of the time. His practice of singing was in keeping with the state of humiliation of Christ Jesus even as was the practice of prayer and supplication.
Do I really need to list the examples of the saints of ancient times in support of what I am saying? Do we not have the example of the angels themselves? Nature itself impels us to lift our voice and sing when our minds have been freed from grief, sadness, or anxiety, or when we are affected by a strong sense of some benefit received.
The very capacity to sing, forming sounds and modulating our voices in a thousand ways, is an invitation for us to do so. So excellent is the divine nature; so outstanding are His perfections, powers, and works; and so many are the benefits He has showered on the human race, that we never lack reasons for putting forth the greatest, most glorious, and most excellent praises, celebrations, and thanksgivings possible.
The things said in Psalm 145:3 on this subject are magnificent: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.” If certain species of birds, having been instructed by the author of nature, know how to make sweet and delightful sounds purely from instinct and without rational thought, they are setting an example for us in carrying out this duty.
How much more should a human being, using the rational part of his nature that the Holy Scripture calls his “glory,” employ his mouth and tongue to celebrate God and to tell of His marvelous deeds? “Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp!” (Ps. 57:8).
Holy singing, whether public or private, is a most beneficial means for promoting sanctification and furthering one’s spiritual condition”
–Campegius Vitringa, The Spiritual Life, ed. and trans. Charles K. Telfer (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage, 2018), 123-124.
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