ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON) “Sing ye praises with understanding.

“Sing ye praises with understanding.” (Psalm 47:7 KJV)

Sing a teaching psalm. Sound doctrine praises God. Even under the economy of types and ceremonies, it is clear that the Lord had regard to the spirituality of worship, and would be praised thoughtfully, intelligently, and with deep appreciation of the reason for song.

It is to be feared from the careless way in which some make a noise in singing, that they fancy any sound will do. On the other hand, from the great attention paid by some to the mere music, we feel sadly sure that the sense has no effect upon them. Is it not a sin to be tickling men’s ears with sounds when we profess to be adoring the Lord? What has a sensuous delight in organs, anthems, etc., to do with devotion?

Do not men mistake physical effects for spiritual impulses? Do they not often offer to God strains far more calculated for human amusement than for divine acceptance?

An understanding enlightened of the Holy Spirit is then and then only fully capable of offering worthy praise.