Editorial August 27, 1927 Issue

The Singing Heart

Albert F. Gilmore

Song as an expression of joyous reverence for God and His glory was early established as a method of worship by the Jewish people. Immediately following their triumphant passage of the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel praised the Lord in these words: "I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously." Again and again when the power and presence of God to lead and protect them in their wilderness wanderings was made manifest they burst forth with songs of gladness and thanksgiving.

So down through the centuries during which the chosen of God were searching for Him and, as their concept of Deity became spiritualized, were finding Him, their songs of triumph rang out to the Lord from overflowing hearts. All the writers of the Psalms had in their hearts the song of rejoicing, which found expression in their inspired messages. "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works," was an exalted exhortation to the people, spoken out of the firm conviction that God is, and that He is the source of all mankind's blessings.

Isaiah was scarcely less conscious of the divine presence, and he likewise voiced his gratitude to God, and frequently admonished his people to sing. Out of a singing heart he urged others to share his joy, which had its wellspring in unwavering assurance that God is the cause and creator, and the supporter, of His creation. He conceived that all nature rejoiced in the fall of Babylon and the release of the chosen of God. "The whole earth is at rest," he declared, "and is quiet: they break forth into singing." Again the prophet foresaw the joyful flourishing of Christ's kingdom, when even the desert should "rejoice, and blossom as the rose," when the lame should "leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." Singing was the expression of inward joy born of renewed proof of God's loving care for all His children. Those who had triumphed over the beast the Revelator heard singing the songs of Moses and the Lamb in contemplation of the great and marvelous works of God.

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