SINGING IN THE SPIRIT Paul Norton

Is singing that is inspired by the indwelling Holy Spirit in an overflow from the heart to God.

It is not just an ordinary song of praise like a hymn, that are also Spirit inspired, but there is something about this particular type of singing praise, because it is a new spontaneous song which is in the language and words that the Spirit gives, and using the melody and harmony that the Spirit gives.

If this singing is to be in the Spirit, one must first be filled with the Spirit, (Eph. 5v18) “Be filled with the Spirit…singing spiritual songs” and also walking daily in the Spirit, and living a life honoring and pleasing God, and from a clean and pure heart, – If not the singing will either not happen, or the singing will be under false pretenses. (“Out of abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”) Singing in the Spirit is an overflow from the righteous life. (Ps. 45:1 “my heart overflows”)
Let’s look now at the phrase “Sing to the Lord a new song.” Ps 96:1, Ps 98:1
“Sing…” Singing a) is a ready made vehicle and expression of praise and worship. There is more mention made in the Bible of expressing praise, through singing, than any other form.
b) Gives a unity of response (2 Chron. 5: 12-14)
c) Helps to release inner emotions, releasing the inner self in song
d) can lead to a reception of faith
e) can lead to a release of faith
“Sing to the Lord….” Not into thin air
Not to people
but to the Lord primarily

“Sing to the Lord a new Song” – this speaks of creating something, something new that has never been sung or heard before. It is completely made new. – Also speaks of something spontaneous and unpremeditated.

Singing in the Spirit does just all these things in a special way. It is singing to the Lord, a new song. Something that overflows from you, by the Spirit, and is unique. We can engage in this on our own or with other believers. (Ps. 109:30, 2 Chrons 5: 12-14)
It is something that the Lord wants, and wants to hear, honoring and glorifying Him. It also strengthens, and blesses the believer, and we can also see results from it. Let’s now look at our authority for this- God’s Word, and look at the appropriate Hebrew and Greek words.

Don’t forget, that in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was very much active, although not indwelling the believer (until Pentecost) after Jesus’ resurrection but falling upon the believer.

Hebrew is a very rich language, and there are 7 words which we translate as praise, one of which is Halal (to be clear, to shine, to boast, to show, to celebrate, to rave, be clamorously foolish, making a noise.) It involves using the voice e.g. singing – and is the most common expression of praise. This is the root word for Hallelujah – Praise ye the Lord. Halal is also the root of another word which will interest us. TEHILLAH. Which means to sing or to Laud- and is singing our Halal. So it is more than Halal praise. Let us see the word used in context:
a) Ps 22:3 “Yet thou art Holy enthroned on the praises (tehillah) and thanksgiving to the Lord…”
b) Ps 100: 4 ..”and his courts with praise (tehillah)…”
c) 2 Chron. 5:12-14 “heard in unison in praise (tehillah)…”
d) 2 Chron. 20:22 … “Sing and praise (tehillah)…”
e) Ps 149:6 “High Praises”……

So God manifests Himself in this type of praise, and the believer can enter His very presence in this (b) type of praise – so singing in the Spirit can also be used in spiritual warfare. (d & e). (I have also seen it used in ministering healing to a gathering.)
Does God manifest Himself in just singing? There is singing and singing. Singing can be praise and yet not Tehillah. 2Chron. 20:22.. Sing and praise (Tehillah).. two words used which shows that two different expressions were being used and referred to. So there is more to Tehillah praise than other practical expressions of faith and praise. There is another dimension.

From a study of all 7 praise words, one can conclude that Tehillah is the climax of praise, that all other forms lead up to, which leads into worship in Spirit. All this springs from faith and trust in the Lord, and knowing Him and what He is like.

The New testament equivalent is “Ade” – to sing to God (Eph. 5:18” Spiritual Songs (Acts)…
1 Cor. 14:15 “I will sing with the Spirit and will sing with the mind also.”
Eph. 5 18-19, Col 3: 16 “Spiritual songs.”
Singing in the spirit is best learned by doing it. So let’s step out in faith and sing to the Lord a new Song.
If the believer can come into God’s presence (within the veil) in a special way, when singing in the Spirit, and if the Lord manifests Himself in glory, when singing in the Spirit, then this Tehillah praise must take place in His presence, in His throne room in heaven. And this we actually see e.g. Revelation 14:2,3 Have you ever heard a large crowd sing in the Spirit – compare this with this picture – hear the similarity “like a sound of many waters.” “like the sound of loud thunder.” Vs 3.. “and they sing a new song before the throne”… (also see Rev 19 6) and Rev 5:9.

N.B. Let us not forget that a new song could also be a new song – like a new chorus or hymn that the Spirit inspires someone to record down and use many times – but this is not “tehillah” promise. Please note the distinction.

Additional noted on singing in the Spirit from an article by John March in “Music in
Worship” Quarterly Journal No 11 March 1980 issue

‘The early church was certainly familiar with this mode of praise, and it was known as “Jubilus.” It began with the extending of the last syllable of the early Christian response “Alleluia” into increasingly elaborate entwining melodies. Eventually, they tried to write this down in some form (of which evidence still exists today)” This then developed into a plainsong chant.

“Jerome says” Jubilus is the song which cannot be expressed, either in words or in syllables, or in letters, speech utterance.” This is probably an example of the Eph. 5: 19 “singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.” (RSV)

Augustine records, that when the heart is filled with great happiness, the person “bursts forth into sounds of exaltation without words…filled with expressive joy he cannot express in words, the subject of his joy.” So singing in the Spirit needn’t have words in our own tongue, but can be just a spontaneous overflow of the spirit-inspired melody.

“From the account in Celane” (the earliest life of Francis) “of the canonizing of St. Francis,” we see yet another E.g. of this spiritual singing- The Pope raised his hands to Heaven and declared Francis a saint, and then, together with the cardinals began to sing Deum in a loud voice:

“These cries of many people praising God, rose on high, and the earth resounded with countless voices; the air was filled with jubilations and the earth was wet with tears. New songs were jubilated by the Spirit…and spiritual hymns were sung with well modulated voices.”