Worship: Augustine on Singing as Double Prayer

Augustine is credited with the saying (based on his commentary on Psalm 72): "He who sings prays twice" (Qui cantat, bis orat). Whether or not he used these exact words, the sentiment pervades his writings. In the Confessions he described being overwhelmed by the singing at his baptism in Milan under Ambrose: "How much I wept at Your hymns and canticles, deeply moved by the voices of Your sweet-sounding Church! Those voices flowed into my ears, and the truth was poured out into my heart."

Augustine taught that music engages both the intellect and the emotions, carrying truth deeper into the soul than speech alone. This is why the church has always sung its faith -- not merely spoken it.

Practical application: Memorize one hymn this month and sing it as a daily prayer. Choose a hymn with rich theological content -- "Amazing Grace," "Be Thou My Vision," "O God Our Help in Ages Past." Let the melody carry the words into your heart. Augustine teaches that sung prayer engages parts of the soul that spoken prayer cannot reach.