After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Can you hear Jesus singing?

Was he a bass or a tenor? Was there a down-home twang to his voice? Or was there an unwavering crystal pitch? Did he close his eyes and sing to his Father? Or did he look into his disciples’ eyes and smile at their deep camaraderie? Did he usually start the song? Or did he join in when John started it, or Bartholomew? Did he only sing Psalms from the Old Testament? Or did he make up songs? Perhaps like:

Consider now the Lily white
Clothed like a wealthy king:
My Father weaves these garments bright,
For one week every spring.

Fear not, then, friends, but come and sing:
The Lily is not fair,
Compared to praise that you will bring
And robes that you will wear.

(Perhaps to the tune of “O for a Thousand Tongues,” or “I Am a Soldier of the Cross,” or “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” or—I would choose—“God Moves in a Mysterious Way.”)

O, I can hardly wait to hear Jesus sing! I think the planets would be jolted out of orbit if he lifted his native voice in our universe. But we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken; so, Lord, come on and sing.

It could not be otherwise but that Christianity be a singing faith. The founder sang. He learned to sing from his Father. Surely they have been singing together from all eternity. The Bible says the aim of song is “to raise the sound of joy” (1 Chronicles 15:16). No one in the universe has more joy than God. He is infinitely joyful. He has rejoiced from eternity in the panorama of his own perfections reflected perfectly in the deity of his Son.

God’s joy is unimaginably powerful. He is God. When he speaks galaxies come into being. And when he sings for joy more energy is released than exists in all the matter and motion of the universe. If he appointed song for us to release our heart’s delight in him, is this not because he also knows the joy of releasing his own heart’s delight in himself in song? We are a singing people because we are the children of a singing God.

So I want to say AMEN to Don Landin’s words Sunday before last. Don is the interim choir director. He said the choir will be open for new members through the year. He said that you don’t have to be able to read music. You can listen and pick up your part.

I rejoice when a company of spiritual worshippers stand behind me on Sunday morning. I feel supported and empowered by the release of spiritual energy from the hearts of people in love with Jesus. I join Don in urging you to be a part of the company of singers with Jesus. If you have questions contact Don. The choir gets themselves ready to worship and sing on Wednesdays at 6:30.

Listening to Jesus sing with you and in you,

John Piper