The first instance of group or congregational singing recounted in the Bible is that of Moses and the children of Israel. They praised God for safe passage through the Red Sea and for deliverance from the Egyptians in these words: "I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously. . . . The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation" (Ex. 15:1, 2). The Psalmist praised the Lord as He "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies" (Ps. 103:3, 4).
Inspired congregational singing bears valid analogy to Biblical accounts of the heavenly host praising God. We give thanks to God for His wonderful works wrought out in individual and collective experience, for His tender compassion, His ever-present and watchful care. Singing unto the Lord gives voice to a sincere desire for growth in grace and for abundance of peace and good will to men. The opening lines of Hymn No. 313 in the Christian Science Hymnal tell us:
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in his wings.
