Si Yahweh ay papurihan, paglingkuran siyang kusa; lumapit sa presensya niya at umawit na may tuwa!

Awit 100:2

Christianity is a singing religion. Napaka-massive kasi ng repertoire natin ng hymns, and we have so much reason to sing. Narito ang ilan sa mga dahilan kung bakit pala-awit tayong mga mananampalataya:

Una, ito ay isang utos ng Diyos. Kaya, we are simply doing what He tells us to do. Sabi ni Apostle Paul sa book of Colossians 3:16 (NLT), “Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” At sabi rin sa Awit 147:1,  ang umawit at magpuri sa Diyos ay tunay na nakalulugod.

Pangalawa, may ginhawang hatid ang pag-awit. Singing involves deep breathing kaya nakakatulong ito sa health ng heart at pag-oxygenate ng brain. Nakakabawas din ng feelings of isolation and anxiety dahil the happy hormone, oxytocin, is released during singing. As a result, the singer feels connected and loved. Naa-activate din ang vagus nerve kaya nakakalma. This is another example of how the Lord’s commands seek our protection and welfare.  

Pangatlo, singing is a powerful form of worship. It fills our thoughts with who God is. Nama-magnify si Lord; nagfe-fade naman ang mundo at ang mga alalahanin. It invites God to take over. Kagaya ng nangyari sa mga kaaway ng Israel when Jehoshaphat was king (2 Chronicles 20). Pagkatapos magpuri ng mga sundalo, there was confusion in the enemy camp, and they ended up killing each other. Ubos!

Lastly, Jesus Himself sings. Jesus sang a psalm when He shared the last supper with His disciples. The prophet Zephaniah says our Father Himself rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). No wonder, we keep singing to the Lord!