The Words

The words. The words of the songs I sing each Sunday in my worship of the Lord, the Creator of the universe. The words. Do the words I sing matter? Do I know what words I am singing? Do I really need to understand the meaning of all those words? Do I really need to understand the meaning of what I am singing? Does it really matter if I am paying attention to the words that are coming off my lips?

I strongly believe that the words of the songs I sing in worship matter. It is important that the words of the songs I sing are in accordance with Scripture, or in other words, are not UNscriptural. It is also important that the words of the songs I sing are serving the purpose set forth in the Scripture, as given in Colossians 3:16 and James 5:13: teaching and admonishing or praising God.

I also think it is important that I understand what I am singing. I just mentioned that I should sing songs that are in accordance with Scripture. If I do not understand a song, how can I know if it is in accordance with Scripture? If I do not know the meaning of the words, isn’t my singing done in vain?

Along the same line, if I do not pay attention to the words that are coming off my lips isn’t that singing done in vain as well? It is important that worship to the Lord is not done in a vain, empty, meaningless way. God should have my undivided and full attention when I am worshiping Him.

I write this article as much as an encouragement to myself, as it is to anyone who reads it. I need to pay attention to the words of the songs that I sing to worship the Lord, the Creator of the universe.