Before we started dating, discovering our common past experiences with high school band and our similar tastes in music was a major bonding moment for Ashley and me. So, when it came to our wedding ceremony, choosing the songs to play as our family entered (“Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli), as the bridal party entered (“Yellow” by Coldplay), as Ashley entered (“Color My World” by Chicago), and for the recessional (“Bittersweet Symphony” by the Verve) was extremely meaningful to us. We even made a mixed CD – young people, that’s how we listened to music before streaming – with 18 carefully selected songs from all different artists, styles, and eras as our wedding favor. To this day, we feel it anytime one of those songs plays – and it often compels us to sing along.
There is just something about music that touches our hearts – and not just metaphorically. Studies show that music triggers the release of the brain chemical dopamine, contributing to relaxing arteries, lowering heart rate, and reducing pain and anxiety in cardiac patients. When God “fearfully and wonderfully made” us, He did it in such a way that music profoundly affects us (cf. Ps. 139:14).
That must be why He instructs us to sing with our hearts so often. “My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!” David proclaimed (Ps. 108:1). Preparing pilgrims to worship in Jerusalem, the Sons of Korah sang, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Ps. 84:1-2). Music affects much more than just the voice and the ears. Science and Scripture agree that it impacts our whole selves!
So, when James asks, “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise” – appreciate that this is so much more than a command to be satisfied (Jam. 5:13). The reason God commanded this is for our good. Singing praise with our hearts takes that cheerfulness we feel and spreads it throughout our whole bodies. It gives it a life beyond that moment as we experience its effects anytime we sing that song in the future. God has provided an absolutely breathtaking mechanism by which His Spirit continually produces love, joy, and peace in us. All we have to do to experience it is to sing with the heart.
All throughout the Bible, people experience God's presence, power, and joy when they sing together. It's time for us to join the song!