Week One: SING PRAISES Ps. 47:6, “ Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.” Four times the command to “sing praises” is given in this verse! Oftentimes when a command is repeated, its importance is underscored. Baptist preacher John Gill wrote, “The repetition of the phrase ‘sing praises’ denotes frequency, constancy, fervency, and great devotion in the performance of this service.” Looking at each of the words John Gill uses helps us consider the way in which we should sing praises to God: Frequency: How often something happens Constancy: Something that happens often Fervency: Doing something with all your heart Great devotion: Consecrating your heart as you sing Do we frequently, often, and fervently sing to our King? As we work at jobs around the house, we can follow this command. Whenever we pick up the hymnal in a church service, we certainly ought to sing praises with all our hearts. When the offer
Perhaps you've noticed it, because I don't think it's just me. My sister and I affectionately refer to it as the "Amen Factor." From my many years at the piano bench, I have observed a few patterns in the types of "Amens" offered after offertories or instrumental solos. I find it rather pathetic that in fundamental Christianity, where conservative Christian music abounds and people embrace God-honoring songs of worship, something as subtle as the Amen Factor exists. But I'm convinced it does. "So be it"--the phrase actually means, yet it seems that many who affirm "Amen" afer a special number in fact express something quite different. These observations I will attempt to explain. First, there is the group I would term the Encouraging Ameners. These folks are just happy that the same old pianist isn't up there playing the offertory. No matter the outcome of the solo, the Encouraging Ameners belt out a loud affirmation.