Listen
Listen to my and Lester Sim’s podcast episode on “Tehillah“.
The Physiological and Psychological Power of Singing
One of the simplest and most fundamental human pleasures is synchronising our activities with other people. Whether it’s clapping, marching, or singing together—when we move in rhythm, it just feels good. Singing, in particular, brings an immediate sense of connection and community. It’s a practice seen across all cultures.
Singing together involves multiple levels of synchrony. One of the most powerful forms of synchrony is singing in unison. The word unison comes from the Latin unisonus, meaning “one sound.” When we sing in unison, we’re all saying the same thing at the same time. That creates unity.
A 2009 Stanford University study by Wiltermuth and Heath found that people who engage in synchronous activities (like singing) feel a deeper sense of belonging—even among strangers. They wrote:
“Synchrony rituals may have endowed some cultural groups with an advantage in societal evolution, leading some groups to survive where others have failed.”
Humans were created to be social beings. Just as God exists in eternal community within the Trinity, so we are made to live in community. During COVID-19 lockdowns, many of us felt the weight of isolation. Loneliness became a public health concern. In fact, research has shown loneliness is as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Entire cultures, including that of ancient Israel, had communal song as a bedrock of celebration.
Singing together is not just beautiful—it is essential to who we are as God’s people.
The Theological Basis for Singing
First, the human voice is the only musical instrument directly created by God. By giving it to us, God made music accessible to everyone. Singing is the music of the human voice—and when untrained singers of all types lift their voices together, the result is uniquely stirring.
Worship is not a spectacle, where 10 people on stage play to an audience. Instead, the people on stage are there to serve a giant choir (that is, the congregation) as we together give praise to an audience of One!
That’s why in our worship services, the sound of the congregation must be pre-eminent.
As Harold Best says:
“It is imperative that organists, pianists, choirs, song leaders, worship leaders, and worship teams understand that it is the congregation that is to be heard above all. If it is not, one of two things is wrong: either the congregation is not singing to the Lord with all its might, or some other musical body is keeping this from happening. In the first case, a spiritual revival is the answer. In the second, a thoroughly disciplined and acoustically humbled reworking of what it means to serve in corporate song is needed. The congregation must increase and the leaders decrease.”
Second, singing to the Lord is commanded of the Lord.
Psalm 96:1 says:
“Sing to the Lord a new song.”
This is not suggestion, but an imperative.
Further, Psalm 22:3 says that God is “enthroned on the praises (tehillah) of Israel.” The Hebrew word tehillah means “a song of praise and adoration.” The picture here is that not only has God commanded, but He actually is drawn to it – so much so that He chooses to build a throne upon our praise.
Critically, it’s not about vocal skill. Scripture doesn’t say “sing to the Lord if you can hold a pitch or if you sound good.” Anyone can, and ought to, sing to the Lord.
Singing as a Means of Shaping Theology
Music gains its power when it joins with words. Words communicate truth. Music conveys emotion. When we combine them in song, we communicate not only truth, but also the feelings behind the truth.
Here, we see that congregational singing in fact helps to shape our theology.
Colossians 3:16 states:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Our singing teaches truth. The theology of the church may be preached from the pulpit, but it is often remembered through song. When times are hard, we may forget the sermon, but we remember the lyrics:
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.”
This is the power of singing. It not only glorifies God but also strengthens and encourages His people.
Conclusion
Singing is not merely an add-on to worship—it’s an integral expression of community, theology, and emotional connection. It unites us physically, spiritually, and socially. Let’s steward this role with humility, passion, and joy—remembering that through song, are helping to form a community of faith as we encounter God together.
Further Resources
Kent Henry on Tehillah
William McDowell, Importance and Power of Singing
The Worship Revolution 