Contemplative Bible Reading

Isaiah 65:14 (New International Version 2011)

My servants will sing
out of the joy of their hearts,

Singing has changed over the 30 centuries since Isaiah wrote this. What we call “music” has changed over the 30 centuries since Isaiah wrote this. I think that the “singing” mentioned here bears little resemblance to the four-part harmony gospel singing of my lifetime.

I think the “singing” mentioned here is more like what I know today as:

• shout for joy
• the rebel yell (if you’ve never heard it, I can’t explain it in text)
• the cheer at a sporting event

Have you ever heard the “singing” that takes place at European football (soccer) games? I think that is the closest thing to the Old Testament singing that we have today.