Christians are a singing people. Our Savior, whom we strive to imitate, sings (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). Our Scriptures command us to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Our perfect salvation compels us to sing (Psalm 96:1-2). Our gatherings are saturated with songs of joy, lament, need, and praise. Every Christian is a singer. Every church a choir.

However, though all Christians are called and compelled to sing, not all Christians are completely prepared to do it well; lessening both the blessings they’re able to give and receive.

With that in mind, famed Methodist preacher, John Wesley, offered seven directions to help Christians in his day make the most of their singing. Thankfully, they’re just as helpful for the church today.

That this part of Divine Worship may be the more acceptable to God, as well as the more profitable to yourself and others, be careful to observe the following directions.

1. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please. 
2. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
3. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.
4. Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.
5. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
6. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
7. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.

May God use these directions to help you sing as “lustily” as ever the next time you gather with the church.