Have you ever considered the unique nature of congregational singing in the church? It is quite an interesting activity of the church. Hundreds of people from all different walks of life, experiencing different circumstances in their lives, gather in a large room and sing together. 

Music is such a unique gift that the Lord has given to us. It combines our minds as we think about the words we sing and our hearts as we express thanksgiving, joy, trust, and more. Congregational singing also causes us to use our ears as well. To hear the music and sing, yes, but also so that we might hear the singing of others.

A new song called "Audience of One" was released years ago. The song took off and was quickly adopted by many churches as a new favorite. The songwriter was trying to emphasize that the songs we sing are directed to God and God alone. 

However, this is not the case. A deeper understanding of what is taking place when the church gathers for corporate worship helps us see that when we sing, we are singing to God and to each other. When the church gathers and sings songs of praise to God, there is more than one audience.

As fellow believers gather for the service of worship on Sunday, we have the unique privilege and opportunity to join voices and exult in God because of the redemption we have in Jesus Christ. 

We sing as a response of gratitude and thankfulness to God for who He is and what He has accomplished through His Son. But while we sing to God, we also sing to one another. 

Paul writes in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." 

Notice how Paul encourages the church to teach and admonish one another - by singing. When the church assembles and sings the great anthems of the faith, we are actually engaging in service to one another. 

We mutually encourage one another as we sing. This happens as we hear one another proclaim the greatness of God and salvation in His Son. It happens when someone who is suffering hears the refrain of "It Is Well" from others around. Or when someone struggling with assurance hears, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." 

I would argue that I have the best seat as we sing together on Sunday mornings. Not because I'm on stage leading. I have the best seat because every Sunday, I hear several hundred voices singing the truths of Scripture back at me. 

It is a source of weekly encouragement that I receive from the church. I would encourage you to approach our times of worship together with the same expectation. 

Come ready to give thanks to God and give and to receive encouragement as we all, with one voice, "proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:10).