About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, (Acts 16:25 ESV)
Singing and Love
Here are Paul and Silas in prison. Their future bleak. Their options diminished. Their hope logically dim. The British had not yet invented the concept of, “innocent until proven guilty.” In fact, those in prison were assumed to be guilty, and the punishment sure, soon, and severe.
But Paul and Silas were singing.
Often, we understand their songs as a result of their faith and hope in Christ their savior. He had not abandoned them, so they did not abandon faith or hope. Faith and hope certainly would explain any calmness they displayed, any peace they exhibited, and any lack of worry, fear, or terror.
But they were singing. They were particularly singing hymns to God. Hymns, even then, were songs written about God, sung to God. They were informative, educational, and thoughtful. Not as easily memorized as a chorus, not as light as a chorus, not as fluffy as a chorus, nor as simplistic as a chorus.
Paul and Silas were probably singing well-thought-out descriptions of God’s attributes. They were probably singing theological discussions put to music. They were probably singing songs that focused deeply, purposefully, profoundly, and fanatically on God.
Because they loved God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Hymns, in a way, are love songs about our God. The lyrics are like love letters. Paul and Silas did sing due to their faith and hope. But mostly they sang because they loved.
Sing like that more often!
Take the love God grants us.