Study and Singing

It is easy to understand how study is important for Bible class. And it should be obvious how important study before, during, and after sermons. Often before the Lord's Supper scripture will be read and remarks made, so it is not hard to understand that studying the word of God is useful there. Of course, we know we should study so that we may know how to behave and follow Christ. And study and prayer pretty naturally go together: praying before study, studying prayer, etc. But what about singing? How does study interact with singing? After all, it's hard to study while you're singing.

Of course, it takes study to know that we are to sing (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16). We can (and should) study and see examples of the disciples devoting themselves to prayer and song (Matthew 26:30, Acts 16:25). But that's not the end of the interaction between singing and studying for us. At least, it shouldn't be.

Do you always know what you are singing? One of the more commonly known songs is O Thou Fount of Every Blessing. So, do you know what it means by “here I raise my Ebenezer”? Hopefully you do. It comes from I Samuel 7:12, where Samuel raises a stone, naming it “Ebenezer” as a memorial to what the Lord had done in protecting them against the Philistines. The meaning of Ebenezer is “stone of help,” which makes the song make more sense.

And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

I Samuel 7:9-12 (KJV)

In I Corinthians 14, Paul gave the first century Christians at Corinth instructions on the use of spiritual gifts. A good portion of that chapter is spent explaining how to properly use the gift of speaking in languages that hadn't been studied and learned. In that context, Paul writes that is is important to understand what is being prayed and what is being sung. He points out that without being able to understand the song (because it is in a language you do not know), nothing is gained. The same principle carries over to study in terms of singing. Understanding is needed, and that requires us to know what we sing.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I Corinthians 14:13-17 (KJV)

The point is, we should not be singing, and thus teaching something unless we know what it is we are teaching. If we are not studying, we will not know what we are singing.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16 (KJV)

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 5:19-20 (KJV)

Familiarity with God's word is a part of every part of what we do. It is not just a matter of studying for class, sermons, and instruction in living. Even a thing that may seem like it has little to do with study involves learning God's word.

Literal and Figurative Language in the Bible

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. "When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. "And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.

John 10:1-6 (NASB)

In this passage, Jesus speaks a parable to those listening. This is a figure of speech used to explain and clarify His teaching. Obviously Jesus' followers are not literal sheep, just as Christ does not open a literal door to them. Rather, we understand that this is figurative language to explain a concept.

Most of the Bible is to be taken literally. Most of the Bible is clear and simple. When we are told facts and commands, we generally understand it at face value. However, there are some times when the Bible is not intended to be taken literally, but figuratively. There is much figurative language in the Bible, and failing to recognize when figurative language is used in the Bible can lead to difficulty in understanding much of scripture, and often leads to false doctrines and errors. There are a few specific types of figurative language that we will briefly consider.

Parables
Christ taught many things in parables while He walked this earth. Others in the Bible occasionally used parables to teach a lesson. A parable is a short story which serves as an analogy to explain something else. For example, the the different types of soil parable of the sower in Matthew 13 teaches us about the different ways the gospel will be received by people. The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 teaches us about repentance and God's forgiveness. The parables are not to be taken at strictly face value. In the above example of the parable of the sower, it is not a lesson farming. Rather, each parable stands figuratively for something else.

Psalms
Psalms and songs are found in much of the Bible, not only in the book of Psalms. Much in the psalms is to be taken figuratively. In Psalm 19:1-4, the sky is declared as speaking. Obviously, this is not to be taken literally, but rather should be understood as showing that God's creation itself teaches us about God. Similarly, in Psalm 65:12-13, the hills do not literally rejoice and the valleys do not literally shout and sing.

Apocalyptic
There are several books of the Bible which can properly be called apocalyptic. These are Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and of course, Revelation. Apocalypse means that something is revealed or unveiled. The way this is done is through highly figurative language. In Revelation, Christ is portrayed as a lamb (Revelation 5:6), as a child (Revelation 12:2-5), and as a conqueror on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). These are not literal depictions of the Son of God, but are representative images and should be understood in such a way. Indeed, some thing sin these books cannot literally exist:
And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition

Revelation 17:11 (KJV)

Comparisons
And of course, there a number of other uses of common figurative language, usually through the use of similes and metaphors in comparing two things. A simile is to compare two things using “like” or “as.”
And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36 (KJV)

The passage does not mean that the multitude were actual sheep that did not have a shepherd, but that they shared characteristics.

A metaphor is similar, but makes the comparison by stating that something is something else. For example, consider Psalm 144:1-2,
Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
The Lord is not a literal, physical fortress building or tower. The Lord is not a literal, physical shield. But can be described as such because of the protection that He provides His followers.

Yes, most of the Bible should be understood literally. But we must always be aware and watchful for when figurative language is used, that we may fully understand God's word and not fall into error.

Making a Choice

We all make many choices each day. We seem to enjoy making decisions. Few of us would be satisfied with only one set of clothes. Few of us would be happy eating the same thing every day. Few of us would frequent a restaurant that did not have a choice of things on the menu, but forced you to eat whatever they felt like serving. We tend to not only like and want choice, but to demand it! However, when it comes to following God, many seem to resent that a choice has been offered to them. It is the choice to serve God in righteousness or to serve self and Satan in sin.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:14-15 (KJV)

Joshua, near the end of his life, offers a choice to the people of Israel. They can choose to serve the Lord, or they can choose to sinfully turn aside to other gods. In the next verse, the people cry out that they will serve the Lord.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Hebrews 11:24-27 (KJV)

Moses, likewise, had a choice. He could continue to enjoy sin, or he could choose to turn his back on his earthly position and status by serving the Lord. He faithfully chose to follow after the Lord.

The same choice is offered to us, and we have the same options: serve God or don't. It is entirely up to each of us on an individual basis. God, in His wisdom (I Corinthians 1:25, Isaiah 55:9) has granted to each of us the choice serving Him in righteousness, of of serving self in sin. If we choose to live a life of sin and unrighteousness, God will permit it. He does not force us to follow Him and to walk in His ways. We are not forced to comply with His will. We cannot be forcibly converted to following Christ. It is something we must each choose to do.

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 (KJV)

And like any choice we make, there are consequences to face, no matter our decision. If we choose to not follow Christ, the consequences are that in some ways, we may have it easier in this life. We may have pleasures, friends, and temporary wealth stemming from that life of sin. And in eternity, if we choose that route, we will have torment, pain, and agony. (Mark 9:43-48)

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

There are also consequences for choosing to follow Christ. Things in this life may be more difficult as we face persecution and trials. (II Timothy 3:12) However, there is a hope of eternal life in the presence of God if we decide to follow Christ.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 (KJV)

God, in His wisdom has granted to us the gift of choice. We are not forced into service, but rather can choose to be a disciple of Christ. Instead of removing our will and ability to make decisions, God has permitted us to choose which path our life will follow. And in this way, He has granted us the ability to choose not only how we will live in this world, but where we will be for eternity.

So which decision will you make? Will you choose to devote yourself to sin and self, enjoying the passing pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25), or will you choose to devote yourself to Christ and enjoy an eternity of peace and bliss in the presence of God?