How long have you been singing hymns traditional to God's Church? Two years, 10, maybe even 20 or more? Over the years has this part of Sabbath observance become rather routine? As you sing those familiar lyrics for the umpteenth time, perhaps your mind has wandered to other things: who you are going to see after services, what you might have to eat, etc. I know mine has. How important is the song service and how can we put more into it and get more out of it?

The apostle Paul thought it was important enough that he exhorted both the Ephesians (Ephesians 5:19) and the Colossians (Colossians 3:16) about it. Notice that in both scriptures our singing of hymns is to praise God and edify the congregation. We can be more effective in this if we maintain a proper focus during this short, but important, part of services.

Recently this was brought home to me by a personal experience. A regular part of my Sabbath routine is a short walk, during which I listen to a tape of the Church's hymns. Having done this for some time, I hadn't really noticed how much the notes and words competed for my thoughts until I received a compact disc in the mail. A former high school friend, who is now a professional mucic arranger, had sent the CD to me. On it were hymns he had arranged for choruses and orchestras recorded at a performance at his church. I must admit it contained some beautiful melodies. But what really struck me was the message. It contained statements that we know to be in conflict with the Word of God. Of course this was done unknowingly by my friend.

With this in the back of my mind, a few days later I was again taking my Sabbath walk with the Church's hymns resounding in my ears. But now the old familiar strains took on a deeper meaning as I refocused on the message I had heard so many times before. I'm sure you can probably reflect on similar times that the hymns have had a deeper meaing in your life. As Paul said in Ephesians 5:19, let us use those times to renew our zeal, "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."