Songs Of Praise

Songs of Praise

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Colossians 3:16

The Amish sing hymns without instrumental accompaniment. They want to keep the emphasis on the words being sung rather than on the music or on musicians, who might become prideful about their skill. The Amish song leader usually sings all but the last word or syllable of the first line, and the congregation joins him at that point.

A song called Das Loblied (“Hymn of Praise”) is a well-known Amish song. It is the second song sung at every Amish worship service and is often sung at Amish weddings. The singing is slow. Words and syllables are stretched out, and singing a hymn can take fifteen minutes or longer. The Amish consider it singing for the soul rather than singing for the ear.

Here is the English translation of the hymn’s first stanza:

O Lord Father, we bless thy name,

Thy love and thy goodness praise;

That thou, O Lord, so graciously

Have been to us always.

Thou hast brought us together, O Lord,

To be admonished through thy word.

Bestow on us thy grace.

Because Amish churches have a set time for services—and a set order—all congregations in a district are singing this hymn at roughly the same time. What joy that must bring to know their voices are rising as one throughout their congregations. It gives us a glimpse of heaven, too. Someday all followers of Christ will be joined in song, gathered in our heavenly home. What a wonderful moment that will be!

Next Sunday when you worship the Lord with your congregation, consider all those around our nation and world who are also lifting songs of praise. What a beautiful feeling of unity as we praise God together!

Dear heavenly Father, I thank You that although different congregations have different styles of song, our hearts are lifted in praise to You. Forgive me, Lord, for the times my mind is distracted. Help me to focus on my words—focus my praise!