The Night The Lord Sang

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Sept 1992

It was a memorable night. The Lord had washed the disciples' feet, kept the Passover with them, and given Judas the sop before the traitor left the Upper Room. Then He took a loaf and cup and initiated the unique remembrance of Himself which we continue to observe each Lord's day. But Matthew and Mark remind us that, before leaving the Upper Room to go to the garden of Gethsemane, those with Him sang a hymn (1) What an enjoyable, memorable experience this must have been, to hear twelve male voices, unaccompanied, blending together in their song of praise. Hearing, too, the Lord's voice, so perfect in note, tone, and melody. This would surely linger long in the minds of His disciples.

Was that hymn part of the great Hallel, which embraced psalms 113118, as some suggest? The Hallel was traditionally sung at the Passover. That ancient feast had already been completed in the Upper Room, and the Lord had instituted the ordinance of the breaking of bread. It was after the completion of this new experience of partaking of the bread and wine, that they sang a hymn and went out into the night on their journey to Gethsemane, and ultimately for the Lord, to Calvary. Would this make the hymn distinct from the Hallel?

One day we might receive the answer to our question as to the hymn, and many other matters which occupy often our redeemed hearts. For example, did the Lord sing with the saints during His sojourn with them after the resurrection?

Meanwhile, it is worthy of note that Paul distinguishes between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in his encouragement to the saints in churches of God to make melody in their hearts to the Lord (2) This might confirm a difference between the Hallel psalms and the hymn. It is also worthy of note that no instruments are in view in our singing and rejoicing together in the Spirit as outlined by Paul.

In our collective approach to God today, our Leader of song is the Lord, as He was on that memorable night in the Upper Room. The writer to the

Hebrews declares: "In the midst of the congregation will I sing Thy praise"

(3) This revelation of Him comes from David's Messianic Psalm 22, which vividly describes the sufferings of the Cross (4)

No created voice of angel or man can equal that of God's Son when He leads the praise in the midst of the priestly congregation which is associated with God's spiritual house today. As to hearing His voice, we shall at His glorious return for the saved ones of this dispensation. He will beckon us to our heavenly home in the spirit of the Beloved to His bride: "Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away" (5) How sweet His voice will sound to us then!

(1) Mat. 26:30;

(2) Eph. 5:19;

(3) Heb. 2:12;

(4) Ps. 22:22;

(5) S of S. 2:10.

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Sept 1992
General