Danniebelle Hall is a name probably not known to many of you. A contemporary of Andrae Crouch, she truly ranks as one of the great names in the history of gospel music.
This may not be your style, but get past that and listen to the message. No matter how small your “all” may seem to you, remember that “little becomes much” when placed in the Master’s hand.
Set aside ten minutes, kick off your shoes, turn your speakers loud, toggle full screen mode, and watch this:
The “speaking to yourselves in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” phrase occurs twice in scripture.
In Ephesians 5: 18-19:
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord (NASB)
and in Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (NASB)
Christianity is a singing faith. No other “religion” (in quotation marks because Christianity does not meet much of the definition) can boast the volume of music that has been given to the world as has the Christian faith.
Why?
The verses give us the answer, we sing because:
Of course, we can’t omit the whole matter of “experience” as a classic gospel song reminds us:
I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me.
But this, too has its roots in the text. Happy and free because of the Spirit’s presence. Known, cared-for and loved as promised in the Word.
Christianity 201 