spiritual warfare: singing in Laurel's Prosebox journal book

We are in a spiritual war (Eph.6:10-20) and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual. As it says in 2 Cor. 10:4, “for the weapons of our warfare not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds”. The spiritual weapons for spiritual war are not “mere words” but the power of God by the Holy Spirit. The power of God to fight in spiritual warfare with words manifests in singing, praying, preaching and prophesying. Worshiping God with words is spiritual warfare. Here is more about these spiritual weapons in our arsenal.

David demonstrates spiritual war through singing.
David sinned against God, then when convicted via Nathan the prophet, David confessed his sin and repented. Confession and repentance to God, is also a powerful aspect of worship and spiritual warfare. Psalm 51 details David’s repentance and most of his Psalms pour forth his worship. In Psalm 144 his comment about the Lord training his hands for war and his fingers for battle metaphorically describes his fighting the spiritual war via the worship of song and music. David played many instruments including harp, lute, lyre, horn, cymbal and tambourine. He wrote and sang many Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. (See 1 and 2 Samuel and Psalms.)

Like David we sing a new song unto God and sing praises to Him. In communion with God through Jesus Christ, He has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Our Lord Jesus taught that worship is no longer about location (ie Jerusalem) or by implication, about instruments (ie the lyre). He said that now the time has come that true worshipers worship God in Spirit and in Truth. This is referring to the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ who is the Truth. Physical temple worship is not commanded for us but the offering of spiritual praise and worship to God. We make melody in our hearts to God (Ephesians 5:19). This is demonstrated in the fruit of our lips including singing meaningful words, praise and thanksgiving.

I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 146:2