Why You Shouldn’t Sing in Church

So, you think you shouldn’t sing in church?

I get it. Maybe you’re the person who moves your lips during worship but keeps the volume at a whisper. Or perhaps you’re the arm-folder, the stoic observer who’s “just taking it all in.”

Let me tell you why all those reasons for not singing are… well, actually ridiculous.

“I Can’t Sing”

This is the classic, isn’t it? “I can’t sing.”

But here’s my question: Who told you that? And more importantly, did you know God said you can?

Did you know that singing is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible and explicitly commanded more than 50 times? That’s not something God would do if He thought some people “can’t sing.” When God repeats something that many times, He’s not making a suggestion—He’s establishing a priority.

Look, I’m not suggesting you’re going to land a record deal or get a callback from American Idol. But the biblical command to “make a joyful noise” doesn’t come with a talent prerequisite.

Here’s something interesting – if you struggle with Western music’s 8-tone scale, you’re not alone. Did you know there are musical systems around the world where your voice might actually shine? The problem isn’t your voice; it’s the narrow definition of “good singing” we’ve created.

In Indonesia, the Javanese gamelan tradition uses a 5-tone slendro scale, completely unlike our Western octaves. In India, classical Hindustani ragas utilize a 22-tone system with microtones our Western ears barely recognize. The throat singing of Tuvan nomads in Central Asia creates multiple pitches simultaneously. Arab maqam traditions use quarter tones that sound “out of tune” to Western ears but create hauntingly beautiful melodies.

Even closer to home, the call-and-response traditions in African-American spirituals weren’t about hitting perfect notes—they were about communal expression. The shape-note singing of early American church communities (think “Sacred Harp”) focused on participation rather than perfection.

Your “off-key” voice might actually be perfectly suited for one of these traditions. You’re not a bad singer—you’re just singing in a musical system that doesn’t fully appreciate your unique vocal qualities. Maybe you were just born in the wrong place, and there’s a people group somewhere around the world where your singing might just be Grammy-winning material!

God didn’t design worship around your ability to hit notes perfectly. He designed it around your heart’s posture.

“I Don’t Have the Courage to Sing”

Historically, where are men most associated with singing outside of church? That’s right—pubs and sports arenas.

Why? Perhaps it’s the “liquid courage” sold at those establishments.

This presents a fascinating parallel with Ephesians 5:18-19, where Paul tells us, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

See the connection? The world offers alcohol to loosen your inhibitions. God offers His Spirit. Singing is a demonstration of someone who’s under the influence of the Spirit of God.

So which influence would you rather be under?

“No One Wants to Hear Me Sing”

Scripture is clear on this point. In Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3:16, we’re told to be “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” Did you catch that? Your singing isn’t just about personal expression—it’s a way you teach and admonish those around you.

Let’s break this down into three truths:

First, God wants to hear you sing. He not only wants it—He commands it throughout scripture. Your voice was His idea.

Second, your family needs to hear you sing. I’m reminded of a story about a family at their father’s funeral who shared that while they didn’t appreciate it at the time, their father’s off-key version of “Amazing Grace” was their favorite memory. They would give anything to hear it one more time.

Third, those around you need to hear it as a testimony of grace. There is no one who presents greater conviction in the truth they’re singing than those who sing it vigorously and out of tune. Your imperfect voice is the perfect testimony that worship isn’t about performance—it’s about authenticity.

It’s not about whether people want to hear you sing—they need to hear you sing. Your voice, however imperfect, is part of how the body of Christ encourages, teaches, and strengthens itself. When you stay silent, you’re withholding something vital from your church family.

“I Don’t Know the Words”

Maybe you’re the person staring at the screen thinking, “I have no idea what ‘here I raise my Ebenezer’ means.”

Join the club! Worship isn’t a vocabulary test. It’s a heart posture.

The beauty of corporate worship is that it’s, well, corporate. You’re surrounding yourself with people who can help you learn. And guess what? Even the worship leader forgets lyrics sometimes.

The Psalms tell us to “sing a new song.” Sometimes that new song is going to feel awkward and unfamiliar—and that’s perfectly normal.

“I’m Just Not Feeling It Today”

We all have those Sundays. The kids were fighting on the way to church. You’re exhausted from a tough week. You’re just not “feeling it.”

But here’s where we’ve gone wrong: We’ve made worship about our feelings rather than God’s worthiness.

Think about Paul and Silas in Acts 16. They’d been beaten, thrown in prison, their feet fastened in stocks. Talk about not “feeling it”! Yet what did they do at midnight? They prayed and sang hymns to God. And what happened? An earthquake shook the prison, the doors flew open, and their chains fell off.

I’m not promising an earthquake during next Sunday’s worship set, but there’s a powerful principle here: They sang when they least felt like it, and God moved powerfully in response.

Psalm 34:1 doesn’t say, “I will bless the Lord at all times, except when I’m tired or having a bad day.” It says “at all times.”

Worship isn’t the thermometer that reads the temperature of your heart; it’s the thermostat that sets it. Sometimes we don’t sing because we feel joy—we sing to create it.

“I’m Afraid of What Others Will Think”

In a culture obsessed with image, this worry makes sense. But worship was never meant to be a performance for others—it’s a response to God.

David danced before the Lord with all his might, and his wife Michal despised him for it (2 Samuel 6). His response? “I will celebrate before the Lord.”

Your worship isn’t for the approval of others. It’s to declare to yourself and those around you the worthiness of God.

The Truth About Singing

The truth is, not singing in church doesn’t protect you from embarrassment—it robs you of joy.

When you hold back your voice, you’re not just depriving God of praise; you’re depriving yourself of one of the most powerful spiritual practices available to you.

Studies show that singing releases endorphins, reduces stress, and improves your immune system. God’s command to sing isn’t just for His benefit—it’s for yours.

So next Sunday, I challenge you to take a risk. Open your mouth. Make that joyful noise.

Your voice might not be perfect, but it’s perfectly designed for the purpose God intended: to praise Him.

And that’s the most beautiful sound on Sunday morning.