How to be Balanced in What We Sing in Worship

As a preacher, I am reminded often of the need for balance in preaching. We need to preach “hard” sermons and encouraging sermons. Preach from the Old Testament and the New Testament. Preach first principles and theologically rich concepts.

Certainly, it is a challenge, but it also ensures that there is never a lack of material!

But preaching is not the only part of our worship in which balance is needed. In the songs we sing in worship, we also need a balance.

As you read this article, consider the last few Sunday worship services. Don’t just think of one week, but consider a few. Over time, a congregation should sing several different types of songs, but it is easy to fall into a rut of singing not just the same songs, but the same types of songs over and over.

Instead, there needs to be a balance. Here are a few to consider.

Praise AND Practice. How many songs do we sing about the work we have to do here on the earth? If all we get is a steady diet of “practice” songs, we are missing the number one priority of our singing: praising the Lord! One test of this is to see how many songs we sing that speak of “I,” “me,” “us,” and “we” versus how many we sing that speak of “You,” “Your,” “Thee,” and “Thine.” Both are necessary to our growth as Christians. So, sing both “Lord, We Come Before Thee Now,” and “Each day I’ll do a golden deed…”

Comfort Songs AND Challenging Songs. I don’t mean the musical nature of the songs. What I mean is that we sing a lot of songs about God loving us and, basically, the comfort we feel due to His grace and mercy. We should never stop singing those, but we also need to sing songs teaching each other that there is work to do, and sometimes that work is challenging. So, sing both “Christ’s Love Is All I Need” and “Go Into the Field.”

Heaven Songs AND Everyday Songs. I think every Christian loves singing about heaven, but we must live in this life to prepare for that eternal home! Conversely, this life can be a struggle, so songs about heaven can spur us on in hope what something far better. So, sing both “That Heavenly Home” and “To Christ Be Loyal and Be True.”

Simple Messages AND Theologically Rich Messages. Too many songs, even of some length, do not really say much of anything. That is okay at times, but a steady diet of that is not healthy to the theological depth of the worshipers. On the other hand, if all we ever sing are dense songs with deep lyrics, we may lose younger people or those still new in the faith. So, sing both “God is So Good” and “In Christ Alone.”

Contemplative Songs AND Toe-Tappers. There are certain songs that just get your foot tapping and that people just belt out. There are other songs that are a bit slower and cause our minds to focus, almost prayerfully, on what we are singing. A mix of both types of songs helps worshipers with different frames of mind. So, sing both “Lamb of God” and “We’re Marching to Zion.”

And, yes, Old Songs AND New Songs. Yes, I went there! Just because a song is 250 years old does not make it better than something new. However, if we fail to sing the old standards, we are missing a chance to connect generations through one of the most powerful tools possible: music. Learn new songs (including some older songs that are so old they are new again!) and continue to use rich and powerful hymns of the past. So, sing both “Amazing Grace” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone).”

Conclusion

As is true with what we want in our preaching, the same should be true in our singing. Balance is the key. Most song books have 800 songs or more, but most congregations sing less than 75 of them (and some far less). A tool like Paperless Hymnal and/or ePraise adds even hundreds more.

However, it is not just about singing a bunch of different songs. It is about balance. It is about making certain that, even in our singing, we do not ride a hobby horse, or get in a rut. Singing, as an act of worship, should be done to the very best of our ability. Our Lord deserves no less than the best we can offer.

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song,

His praise in the assembly of the godly!” (Psalm 149:1)

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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn