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“When you sing to me”: How to experience God in song

“When you sing to me”: How to experience God in song

Last updated on: May 6, 2025 at 10:36 am by Samantha Mattheiss

“When you sing to me”: How to experience God in song 2025-05-06T10:36:46-04:00 Samantha Mattheiss

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Is God singing to you? | Photo by Darius on Unsplash

Have you ever loved a singer-songerwriter so much, that it was as if they were singing to you? When I was in high school, I was absolutely in love with Ricky Martin. I loved his music, but more, I loved him, and when I listened to his music, it was him who was singing to me—just like in Marc Anthony’s 90’s hit, You Sang to Me:

How I long to hear you sing beneath the clear blue skies
And I promise you this time, I’ll see it in your eyes
I didn’t see it
I can’t believe it
Oh, but I feel it
When you sing to me

Well, surely Ricky Martin wasn’t singing to me; but throughout my life, these words have stayed with me: “When you sing to me.”

Sacramentality of music

When I listen to the radio or some favorite songs or albums, it is as if God is singing to me. It turns out that the Church teaches that God is present to us in the world—in all of creation. For example, in a document released by the International Theological Transmission, it states:

When we speak of sacramentality we are referring to this inseparable relationship, in such a way that the sacramental symbol contains and communicates the symbolized reality. This presupposes that every sacramental reality in itself includes an inseparable relationship with Christ, the source of salvation—and with the Church—the depository and dispenser of Christ’s salvation.

In addition to the seven formal Sacraments, such as baptism and confirmation, creation itself can be taken as a sacramental reality that manifests the relationship between Christ and the Church (see Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudate Si).

Experience God through music

We experience God through music, art, nature, human connection, and more. These natural realities point to Him—creator and artist. He communicates to us and with us through such realities.

As such, it’s not surprising that we can find God in music—not only in the beautiful praise and worship music and Catholic hymns but also in secular music.

This is not to say that every word we hear in sthe ong is the voice of God—but rather to allow music to be a vessel through which you connect with God.

Singing of His love

When Cat Stevens sings, “How can I tell you, that I love you,” consider the voice of God—He longs to tell you that He loves you. When Simon and Garfunkel sing, “Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down,” consider Christ laying upon the cross for us.

Strengthened in Christ through song

Allow yourself to be strengthened in Christ through song. When John Denver sings, “I can’t help believing in my own mind,” be strengthened in God who created you with an “inimitable, mysterious, and precious beyond measure” (David Eagleman, 2019). In Encanto, when you hear Mirabel and the Madrigal family sing, “You’re more than just your gift,” consider the preciousness of each human person—gift. And in Frozen, when you hear Elsa sing, “Let it go,” let yourself be inspired to give all of your pain, suffering, and mistakes to God, letting them go and rise like incense.

The Sacraments

This sacramental understanding of the natural world—including song, art, and social connection—can help us understand the formal Sacraments.

The Eucharist

When I was little, it was hard to believe that the consecrated host was Jesus. It wasn’t a symbol of Jesus, I was taught; but rather, it was truly Him. It was hard for my 8-year-old brain to comprehend that—and I grappled with it for years.

Work of human hands

Yet when I began to consider the natural world as sacramental—that God was in communion with us through the fruit of the earth, through the work of human hands—it made more sense. The consecrated host isn’t a mere symbol of God; rather, God is truly present in the Eucharist. He is in communion with us through the consecrated host—the Bread of Life. In the Eucharist, it’s important to point out, all of creation–every song, every work of art, and more–“finds its greatest exaltation.” As such, we might find that we can communicate with God, and He with us, through creation–in song.

So as you go about your day, look for God everywhere. Listen to His voice. It may be the work of human hands–maybe it’s Cat Steven’s work or Disney’s work. And, maybe you’re on your way to work with your Spotify playlist on, or you’re sitting in the theatre with your kids watching Moana 2; or maybe you’re out at your first concert with your high school friends.

You sing to me

Wherever you are and whatever you hear, search for God. You can find Him everywhere. Find Him at Church in the Eucharist—fruit of the earth, work of human hands—but also in the fruits and work of artists, musicians, and your fellow human beings. And you just might find yourself speaking back to Him:

“All the while you were in front of me, I never realized…I didn’t see it, I can’t believe it, Oh, but I feel it, When you sing to me.”

General Christian

Recreation, Outdoors and Religion

About Samantha Matteiss

Samantha R. Mattheiss, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Felician University. She earned a doctorate in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience from Rutgers University – Newark. She has published both empirical, and scientific research as well as interdisciplinary work on the intersection of faith and science. Her research interests were inspired by time spent serving as a Salesian Lay Missionary in Bolivia and living in ecclesial communities in both Philadelphia, PA and Newark, NJ. You can read more about the author here.

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