Then Sings my Soul!

Prayer and praise are to very important parts of a Christian’s devotional life.  Have you even been so burdened or overwhelmed by your circumstances that you didn’t know how to pray or what to ask for?  On the other hand, have you ever been so excited and thankful for answered prayer that it was hard to sit still and pray?  Singing is a way to express each of these emotions in a way that is worshipful to God. God loves to hear the praise of His people, and when you pray back His Word to him, it is a sweet-smelling sacrifice of praise to Him.   Psalm 92:1 says, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy name, O most high.”

 In some churches, songs with texts straight from the Bible are set to melodies.  I think this is extremely valuable in getting the Word of God directly into the hearts and minds of Christians.  I wish I had a talent for music writing so I could set passages of Scripture to song.  I find it’s easier to memorize long sections of the Bible this way.  But, if you don’t already have portions of the Bible memorized to a tune, can you still praise the Lord in song during your devotions?  Of course you can!

I think one of the best ways to keep meditating on God’s word all day is by doing what is says in Ephesians 5:19-20, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  After reading a passage of scripture, you could sing a hymn of petition like, “Open My Eyes, That I May See,” asking the Lord to reveal the truths of the Word to you.  Throughout the day, this tune might stick with you, causing you to remember the passage you read.    Another hymn I often sing in conjunction to my devotions is, “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior.”  I find this hymn particularly helpful when I’m trying to show Christ’s likeness in the home or any situation.  When I’m burdened or weighed down by a worry or hard situation, I love the hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour.”  When I’m afraid or nervous about something, I like the hymn, “Be Still My Soul.”   In each of these hymns, I feel my singing causes my desires or burdens to be carried to the throne of God much more easily than my prayers would, and I can keep singing as I go about my daily work, long after I have had to close my Bible.

In the Bible, the book of Psalms is full of verses and examples of people singing songs to the Lord during public and private worship.  In fact, much of Psalms is a record of Old Testament songs of praise and worship that were written down (minus the music) for us to have examples on how to praise the Lord. I encourage you to read through the Psalms and find encouragement as you read the words of men of God as they worshipped and poured their hearts out to the Lord.

-Beth Barnard

Beth Barnard’s passion for singing can be summed up in Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise Him.”

In addition to sacred, opera and oratorio repertoire, she has had opportunities to sing and speak in churches and special meetings across America and in 7 foreign countries – everywhere communicating the goodness of the Lord, and desiring to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit to tenderize and encourage hearts in order for the Lord to work in lives.

 In 2000 Beth recorded her own solo CD, “Joy Overflowing,” which is a fully orchestrated collection of sacred songs of hope and encouragement.  The Lord has used this CD in the lives of thousands of Christians as a reminder to trust the Lord in the midst of trials and suffering.

Beth resides in Greenville, SC with her husband, Paul, and son, John Paul.  For 19 years she has taught voice lessons, adjudicated music competitions, and coached choirs and ensembles. For more information, please see www.bethbarnard.com