Job 38:6-7 says, “Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” The words of these verses look back to the time of creation, with the foundations and corner stone being mentioned. These ‘morning stars’ indicate angels and show us that they “sang together.”

I’m sure most of us are familiar with Charles Wesley’s Christmas carol that says: “Hark! The herald angels SING, ‘Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.’” This is a well beloved song, but is it scriptural? Let’s read Luke 2:13-14, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and SAYING, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” The Greek word for ‘saying’ is ‘LEGO’ and is defined as: to lay forth, to ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name. In every instance in the Bible this word is used, it indicates speaking. It is also translated as: say, saying, saith, said, called, and tell. This word is used 1349 times in the New Testament and it is ALWAYS translated to indicate speech as opposed to singing. It is clear that the angels DID NOT sing in their announcement of the birth of Christ. We do not have a clear indication that angels have sung since Job spoke of their singing at the time of creation in Job 38:7.

Let’s consider Revelation 5:8-10, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Who are these who “SUNG A NEW SONG”? We notice that they are kings and priests (literally a kingdom of priests) and they shall reign on the earth. These are not angels, they are redeemed people. 1 Peter 2:4-10 says that it is believers who are priests. 2 Timothy 2:12 tells us that it is believers that will reign with him.

The portion is Revelation 5 shows that the singing there is a song of salvation: “…for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood…” Of course, angels do not sing praises to God for redeeming them. They are beings created with the ability to absolutely refrain from sin, therefore salvation is not offered to them. Christ died for sinful men and women, not angels. There are two BASIC reasons to sing and praise God. One reason is for WHO HE IS. The other reason is for WHAT HE HAS DONE. In Job 38:6-7, we find the angels singing and praising God for who He is. He is the creator. In Revelation 5:8-10, we find the redeemed ones singing and praising God for what He has done. He has redeemed us with His blood. Again, the angels would not sing or praise God for saving them, for they have no part in God’s salvation. However, they do praise the Lord for creating them, for creating Heaven and for creating the earth.

One other line of thought about the lack of singing from the angels is that sin has come upon the world and has marred the Lord’s wonderful creation. It may be that the angels do not sing because sin is in the world, and the work of the Lord in creation has been dishonored. (234.4)