BIG IDEA: Why the saints are to sing; what the saints are to sing; and how the saints are to sing.

I. WHY MUST THE SAINTS SING? (v. 19)

I) The saints sing because the great example laid out to us in the Scriptures is that the Lord’s people are singing people (Exodus 15—Revelation 15). II) The saints sing because God commands it and therefore it glorifies Him (Ephesians 5:19-20). III) The saints sing because Christ has redeemed them (Revelation 5:9).

Day and night the angels never cease to sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God almighty.” In heaven the perfected saints sing, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!” Join the song!

II. WHAT MUST THE SAINTS SING? (v. 19)

I) The saints are commanded to sing Psalms (v. 19b). II) The saints are commanded to sing Hymns (v. 19b). III) The saints are commanded to sing Spiritual Songs (v. 19b).

Joel Beeke, in his pamphlet titled Why Should We Sing Psalms, gives nine further reasons we should sing from the songbook of the Bible. I commend these also to you: 1. God Gave the Psalms for Israel and All Nations to Sing. 2. The Psalms Reveal Christ in His Sufferings and Glory. 3. Christ and the New Testament Church Sang the Psalms. 4. Singing the Psalms Causes the Word of Christ to Dwell in Us Richly. 5. Singing the Psalms Helps Us to Be Filled with God’s Spirit. 6. Singing the Psalms Enables Us to Worship God in Every Experience. 7. The Psalms Unite Us with Believers of All Times. 8. The Psalms Lift Up Our Eyes to the Hope of Glory. 9. The Psalms Keep God Supreme in Our Worship.

III. HOW MUST THE SAINTS SING? (v. 19-20)

I) The saints must sing, addressing one another and so admonish and encourage one another (v. 19a). II) The saints must sing, making melody to the LORD each with our individual hearts (v. 19c). III) The saints must sing to the Lord Jesus Christ as the chief audience (v. 19c). IV) The saints must sing, giving thanks always for everything (v. 20a).

(I) Think of the Pardon Christ gives you at His bloody expense as your priest! (II) Think on the Promises Jesus has given you in His word as your prophet! (III) Oh think of the Provision, Protection, and Perfection that the Lord Jesus Christ has guaranteed to all who belong to Him as their king!

V) We must sing, giving thanks to God the Father through Jesus our High Priest (v. 20b).

All your praise both from the heart and through the lips must be tendered up through faith in Jesus Christ or else it is vain and even despicable to God. But if your songs be truly a sacrifice of praise from a heart that rests in Christ alone and makes no peace with sin, then your lips reach the ears of heaven, and you can be sure a smile is given in response!