When the Lord instituted this meal, it was in the context of a Passover supper with His disciples. We are told that at the conclusion of the meal they sang a hymn, and then went out (Matt. 26:30). It is almost certain that they followed the Jewish custom of singing the Hallel psalms, six psalms starting at 113.
Remember that this is shortly before the Lord’s arrest. In a brief time, He is going to be pleading with the Father to have the cup pass from Him. In a matter of hours, Judas was going to kiss Him, the soldiers flog Him, the leaders of Israel reject Him, and His Father in Heaven turn His face away.
And what was the hymn selection for that occasion? “Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord.” (Ps. 113:1). “Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord” (114:7). “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory” (115:1). “O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: He is their help and their shield” (115:9). “I love the Lord, because he hath heard My voice and my supplications” (116:1). “I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living” (116:9). “O praise the Lord, all ye nations: Praise him, all ye people” (117:1). “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: Because his mercy endureth for ever” (118:1).
Now if the Lord sang on that night, why would He not sing together with us now? He is two thousand years into His reign, and all is unfolding according to the perfect counsel of God’s will. In this circumstance, the Lord rejoices over us with singing. “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zep. 3:17).
So we come to partake of Christ, but not a dead Christ. He is alive forevermore, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. This Table has a white cloth on it, but it is not a winding sheet. We are the living body of the living Christ because we partake of Him, and we are not a corpse because He is not a corpse. The Christ we partake of is a singing Christ.
So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.