Last week, in his article about Hymnology, Richard Dent sited 7 rules for congregational singing. Taking a deeper look into these principles might inspire us to consider how we sing on Sunday morning, and how (do) we prepare ourselves to sing.
We mentioned the book by John & Charles Wesley from the early 1700’s, “Selected Writings and Hymns”. This collection of ideas and prayers comes from the founder of Arminian Methodism, yet some of his ideas shared here speak to us today. We’ll consider the exact wording and explore it’s deeper meaning. Keep in mind, our focus concerning words of directions for congregational singing must come from the word of God.
John Wesley’s Rules for Singing
From John Wesley’s Select Hymns, 1761
1) Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterward learn as many as you please. The encouragement here is for the reader to learn Wesley’s songs as printed in his book. We would agree with the premise to ‘Learn these tunes…’ provided the tunes are scriptural in content. If we find a psalm, hymn or spiritual song that doesn’t resonate with the truth of God’s word, exercise caution before adding it to your repertoire. Learn as many as you please is good advice. But the basis for this charge is to sing songs of praise to God. If we would do that one thing alone (sing to God) our nation would be turning more toward Him.
2) Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can. Unfortunately I don’t espouse the language in this ‘rule’ for singing. Though spoken as a true musician, the lay singer will often adjust the melody line or add supporting harmony to a song. God’s instruction to us when we sing is to sing with our hearts, not our vocal cords. Often times we get caught up in the sound of it rather than focus on the heart of singing.
3) Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing. This is sound advice! ‘Sing all’ is a call for everyone to sing. Not just those who can or have the ‘best voices’, but all should be singing. Our culture seems to focus on the ‘idols’ and glamorize the talent, but when we read Colossians 3:16, the instruction is to be ‘…teaching and admonishing one another…singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.’ Paul doesn’t say, ‘if you want to,’ the command is for us to sing; and so we should, sing all!
4) Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.
Two thoughts here; be of good courage and sing lustily (powerful or strong) are a great admonition. While some refuse to sing, others sing with apathy in their voices. And yet how often do we sing out the songs of the world, but mumble or refuse to sing songs of praise? Considering this was written almost 250 years ago, I find it interesting Wesley refers to worldly songs as ‘songs of Satan.’ Can we find praise to God in secular tunes (western, rock, rap, etc)? Perhaps, since many of those musical numbers carry us away from God, then Wesley was right in saying they are songs of Satan. And yet those are the songs that are sung to establish the ‘best singers’ in our society…do we need to rethink our singing?
5) Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you many not destroy harmony, but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound. Almost seems like a counter to the previous rule to ‘sing lustily’, but consider the reason for singing with modesty. Do we come together to out sing each other? Are you singing tenor so others can hear you for your praise? Sopranos might have the hardest time with this ‘rule’ in that they have the lead voice. We must be aware that our songs are not for us, but for our God. Remember that we are offering ‘…a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.’ Will we offer that sacrifice with strength and power or with selfish intentions?
6) Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first. Again, I’m not convinced this is of the utmost importance. What IS important is the encouragement to sing together. In addition, there is a clear understanding, as Paul stated in I Cor. 14:40 that we are to do, ‘all things…properly and in an orderly manner.’ This is case in point as to why we have song leaders in our worship services. Someone to lead our singing so the congregation can sing together without some running ahead or sing ‘whatever song they want.’ The 14th chapter of I Corinthians helps us understand this idea more clearly.
7) Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, 
and reward you when He cometh in the clouds of heaven. I couldn’t say it any clearer. As we sing on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights (or anytime for that matter) we’re praising God. The question is, where do you focus? We are a blessed people to have the hope of heaven. Let’s sing in our congregations to the glory of God and not to satisfy our opinions.
And just in case you were wondering; here’s one more quote from John Wesley, “I have no objection to instruments of music in our worship, provided they are neither seen nor heard.” Updated from What Did Early Christians Believe About Using Instrumental Music in Worship. http://www.bible.ca/H-music.htm