Thy Kingdom Sung: Learning and Worshiping Through Song
What’s your favorite way to learn about and worship Jesus? Some find joy in reading and studying the Bible. Others prefer participating in the acts of public worship, like liturgies, baptism, communion, and prayer. Personally, one of my favorite ways to worship is through song. Music has a unique power to teach us about Jesus and bring us closer to Him.
Consider the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Just in the first few lines, we learn that Jesus is our friend, and that when we share our pains, griefs, and burdens with Him in prayer, life becomes easier. This hymn teaches us that talking to Jesus is talking to God, showing us that Jesus and God are one.
Or think about the song “I Can Only Imagine.” From the first notes, it draws our hearts toward God. The lyrics paint a picture of a world without pain, sorrow, or suffering—a world focused solely on the glory of God. This song touches a deep yearning in us to meet God in such a world.
Songs often intertwine with Scripture. We sing the Psalms in worship or praise songs that quote the Bible directly. Some biblical passages are themselves songs or prayers, like the Psalms, which were the hymnbook and prayer book of ancient Israel. Similarly, some prayers and songs from the early Christian Church are embedded in our New Testament books.
Today’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, particularly verses 15-20, is thought to be part of an early Christian hymn. Let’s explore what the Christians in Colossae believed about Jesus around AD 50 through this hymn’s lyrics:
- He is the image of the invisible God.
- He is the firstborn of all creation.
- In Him, everything in heaven and on earth was created.
- He is the head of the body, the church.
- In Him, all things are held together.
- In Him, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
These lines show that for the Colossian Christians, Jesus wasn’t just an ordinary man or teacher. They sang about Him as the image of the invisible God and the creator of all things, visible and invisible. They believed Jesus was the head of the church and that in Him, all things were held together. Their hymn piled ascriptions of honor and praise upon Jesus, similar to how hymns or inscriptions praised kings and the Roman Emperor at the time.
For these early Christians, Jesus was God, deserving of glory, praise, and honor. In less than thirty years, the church transformed from a small group of followers of a carpenter from Nazareth into an established worshiping community, singing about how the fullness of God dwelled in Jesus.
How did this transformation happen? It happened because Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, continued to encounter people after His resurrection. These encounters were life-changing and transformational, compelling those who experienced them to share their stories. These personal encounters with the risen Christ were so profound that they couldn’t help but tell others. This led to the spreading of the gospel and the writing of these experiences in the form of gospels, letters, songs, poems, and creeds.
Haven’t we all had personal encounters with the risen Lord? Don’t these encounters compel us to share our experiences with others? We can tell our stories, offer our witness, and bring the Kingdom to others. Some might think we’re crazy when we sing about knowing the Lord because “He walks with me, and talks with me,” but others will understand completely because they too have met Jesus face-to-face.
All those songwriters—from the early Christians in Colossae to beloved hymn-writers of the past to today’s contemporary Christian musicians—are simply trying to give their witness, to put into words their experiences of God’s Kingdom. They, like us, are moved to praise and worship through song, proclaiming the greatness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
So next time you sing a hymn or a praise song, remember: You are joining a long tradition of believers who have encountered Christ and found a way to express their love and reverence through music. Let these songs teach and inspire you, drawing you ever closer to the One in whom the fullness of God is pleased to dwell.