Deacon/Pastoral Intern Brian Moats wrote this manifesto for TPC hymn sings:
When TPC gathers for psalm and hymn sing, we assemble as the army of the risen King.
Our psalms, hymns, spiritual songs are not private expressions of piety but public acts of battle.
In Scripture, Israel’s victories are tied to music: Jehoshaphat’s choir leads the army, and the Lord scatters enemies (2 Chron. 20). Joshua’s army blasts their trumpets, and the walls of the enemies crumble.
The Psalms themselves are a war-book, training us to name enemies, call for His justice, and proclaim His reign.
In Christ, our singing is prayer, and a weapon of the Holy Spirit.
The church does not raise swords but raises voices, announcing that Jesus has triumphed over rulers and powers. When we sing the Bible, we swing the sword of the Spirit.
When we sing the Psalter and the songs of the Lamb, we align heaven and earth in a chorus that drives back darkness and builds up the saints.
Our enemies are not flesh and blood but principalities and powers, and they cannot withstand a singing church. To sing together, then, is to march together: every hymn is a trumpet blast, every psalm a battle cry, every doxology a declaration that Christ reigns and His kingdom is advancing.
Here we look one another in the eye and proclaim the highest truths of the world. The history of God’s people, His dealings with his saints, the psalms of David. The life of our brother and King, Jesus. Christ crucified, buried, risen again, and conquering.
Here we joyfully declare to one another the truths of our King and the realities of our lives.
Singing is no small thing, it is a righteous and political act, for as Yahweh responds to the cries of His people and Jesus answers the voice of His Bride, principalities and powers are shaken and brought low.
Let us not shrink back and be silent.
Tonight is no time for mute, closed mouths, but the time for joy and sorrow, for battle and victory.
To be silent is to surrender, to say, “I will not encourage you or fight beside you.”
So sit up straight, be ready for the next hymn, prefer others, be brave and shout on, for we are gaining ground. Glory, Hallelujah.
Let us now worship God in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
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