By David Faust
Earlier this year, Rolling Stone published a list of the 200 greatest singers of all time. Familiar names like Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, Adele, Barbara Streisand, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash made the list, but controversy arose because the selection team omitted great singers like Celine Dion and Judy Garland while including pop stars like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. The golden-voiced tenor Andrea Bocelli didn’t make the list, but Bob Dylan—with his eccentric singing style—came in at No. 15.
Atop the list at No. 1 was Aretha Franklin, who described her mission as a singer like this: “Me with my hand outstretched, hoping someone will take it.”
Connecting With Our Hearts
Music educates and entertains. It stirs our emotions, shapes our moods, and communicates ideas. Music impacts our everyday lives. We listen to it while driving in our cars, shopping in stores, or relaxing at home. It enhances movies, starts and ends TV shows, and fires up crowds at sporting events. Music makes weddings more festive, parties more fun, and funerals more poignant. It can make us think, laugh, cry, and sing along.
Music stamps itself in our memories. Do you remember songs that were popular when you were in high school? Senior adults tap their toes to tunes recorded in the 1940s and ’50s. The raucous 1960s spawned both patriotic songs that encouraged love for country and anti-war ballads and rock music that expressed bitter frustrations with the government.
Music touches something deep in our souls. It’s not surprising that throughout history, worshippers have used “psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” to express our love for God (Colossians 3:16).
Beautiful Voices
Some of the world’s greatest singers never receive any public acclaim. They don’t appear on American Idol or The Voice, or perform in recording studios, theaters, and cathedrals. You may have heard their beautiful voices, though. A young mom whispers the tune of “Jesus Loves Me” as her baby falls asleep in her arms. A teenager with fresh faith and a bright future stands and praises God with all his heart at a CIY conference. An aging woman whose mind is fogged by dementia smiles and nods while her husband sings her a hymn.
Faithful saints like these have praised God with music down through the ages—in good times and bad. David wrote psalms and played the harp. Jesus sang with his disciples at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30). Paul and Silas sang in prison (Acts 16:25).
When God created the universe, “the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). The prophets predicted a majestic concert in the messianic age with nature itself serving as the worship choir. “The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12). And there will be new songs to sing in heaven (Revelation 5:9).
The Minor Prophets feature bold, in-your-face calls to repentance, but they also offer hope. Zephaniah says, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
The best singing voice of all belongs to the God of grace.
Personal Challenge: What is your favorite song of praise? Sing it to the Lord right now!
David,
Thank you for this article, and I would add, the many other articles you have written through the years. Zephaniah 3:17 is a verse that is especially near to my heart. I came across it when I was at a very low spot in my life physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Because I am human I need to be loved; “He will take great delight in you.” Because I am a sinner; “in his love he will no longer rebuke you.” And because I am a musician; “but will rejoice over you with singing.” Yes, it is true, the best singing voice does belong to our God, the God of grace. Amen and amen.