Sing Me A Song About Jesus

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2crc2f

Several years ago I was listening to my radio and heard a word in a song that sounded like a very bad word. Surely I misheard. I’m sure the radio station wouldn’t allow that kind of language on the radio, right? Well, I was wrong. The word being used in that popular song helped to open the door for other such words to be used on air as well.

What a shame that people are compelled to use vulgar language in order to entertain or inform. Vulgarity adds nothing but shock value to entertainment. And anymore, who among us is really shocked by what we hear?

Wouldn’t it be so much better if what we heard and saw in entertainment actually built us up and helped us to be better? Can you imagine what the world would be like if instead of focusing on crime and putting one another down, our entertainment focused on inspirational stories of accomplishments and good deeds?

G. T. Speer is the author of a song that we frequently sing. “Sing Me A Song About Jesus,” was written in 1956 and is partly in response to the emptiness of entertainment.

While in Nashville in the 1950’s Speer was hearing a very popular song being played on everyone’s radios. “The Doggie In The Window” was hitting the top of the charts and eventually became a number one hit song.

But as Mr. Speer listened to the lyrics he was left with an empty feeling. “If that’s all they have to write songs about, I’m going to write a better song.” And so he did.

Listen to the words of the first verse of his song.

Sing me a song about Jesus,

Sing me a song about His love,

Sing with all your might,

Every day and night,

Make the hallelujahs roll;

Sing out the blessed old story,

Tell how He gave the victory,

Dying on a tree

All for you and me,

How He came to make me whole.

When David was troubled he wrote and sang psalms. When Paul and Silas were in prison they openly sang praises to God. Shouldn’t we also have a song on our hearts as we live each day?

Of course, it isn’t enough just to sing about Jesus. We also must be willing to do what He asks us to do. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” It wouldn’t do us much good to sing, “O, How I Love Jesus,” and then not behave as a Christian should behave.

When we are pleased with what a friend does we might “sing his praises” to others. We want to share his good deed with the world so they will appreciate his efforts.

Why, then, not also share the good news of the gospel with others through song? Sing about Jesus, His love and His grace. Sing mightily and frequently.

Hebrews 13:15-16 says, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

Mr. Speer wrote a song that embodies the Christian’s lifelong commitment and thanksgiving to Jesus. The last line of the chorus of that song goes, “Sing about His grace, till you see His face, sing me a song about Him.”

On Our Daily Walk today, may we become more conscious of the positive effects of wholesome music in our lives. May we choose a song or two this week and reflect on the lyrics and then sing that song heartily throughout the week.

Our thought for the day: “God’s work of creating is done; our work of praising has just begun.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.