A Song in My Heart

Lately, I’ve found myself singing more.

It’s not because I suddenly became more musical or found extra time in the day—but because I’m raising a toddler. From lullabies and silly songs to hymns we hum together during mealtime or playtime, music fills the background of our daily life. And somewhere along the way, I realized: it’s doing something deep in my soul.

Singing has become more than a parenting tool. It’s become worship. It’s become joy.

Melody in the Heart

The Bible encourages this kind of daily, joyful expression of faith:

“...be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart...”— Ephesians 5:18–19 (ESV)

Paul doesn’t say we have to be in church building, holding a hymnal. He says sing—and let it come from the heart. This kind of worship isn't reserved for Sunday. It's for every day.

It’s also deeply tied to joy. Not surface-level happiness, but joy rooted in God’s presence, even in hard times.

Songs in the Darkness

One of the most powerful examples in Scripture is Paul and Silas singing in prison:

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them…”— Acts 16:25

Beaten, chained, and locked in a cold cell, they didn’t grumble or despair—they sang. Their worship wasn’t based on circumstances. It came from deep faith and unshakable hope. That’s the kind of song I want in my heart.

Because sometimes life feels like a prison. We face trials, fatigue, uncertainty. But when we sing—whether out loud or silently in our hearts—we align our souls with something higher. Singing reminds us of who God is. It lifts our eyes from the valley to the hills.

King David: Singing Through Every Season

David, the "sweet psalmist of Israel," sang in the pasture, in the palace, and in the cave. His psalms echo with both triumph and trembling, joy and sorrow.

"I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me."— Psalm 13:6

David didn’t just sing when things were good—he sang to get through the hard times. His songs were an anchor for his soul and a way to process grief, praise, fear, and awe. In fact, many of his psalms were written in hiding or danger.

Sing More. Fill Your Heart.

Whether you're a trained vocalist or can't carry a tune, it doesn't matter. Worship through song isn’t about performance—it’s about presence. It’s about filling your heart and your home with reminders of God's truth.

Here are two of my favorite a cappella albums along with a YouTube channel with some great a cappella Christian music. These have encouraged me and helped fill my heart with a song daily.

Hallal Music YouTube Channel

Album: Arise by Hallal Music

Album: Resurrection by Hallal Music

Put on a song while doing dishes. Sing with your kids. Hum during your commute. Let worship become the rhythm of your life.

Final Thought

We are all pilgrims on the road to something eternal. And like travelers of old, we need songs to carry us through the journey—songs of hope, songs of truth, songs of praise.

So sing today. Not because everything is perfect, but because God is faithful. And let the song in your heart point you, and those around you, back to Him.

Until the Journey is Complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim