Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from Psalm 98 verse 1, “O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things,” (NRSVB). The Book of Psalms has been seen as the psalter, or songbook of the people of the Lord and church, through the ages. For every situation, from birth to death, in corporate or individual worship and prayer, we will find appropriate songs to sing, in this songbook to the Lord. Singing to the Lord is not limited to humans, nature and all created things are called to worship the Lord with praise. To sing when we are joyous, is a spontaneous reaction, but to sing joyously when we are sad and fearful takes courage and hope. The major chords, with their bright sounding harmony are infused with dissonant sounds, causing tension in the music, however, the dissonance resolves and the musical tension is restored to equilibrium. The minor chords with their sonorous, but more sombre sounding harmonies, are fitting vehicles to express the pain and sorrow reflected in the world, and the life of the people on this earth. However, it is when the major and minor chords and all the variations of these chords blend with each other, and incorporate dissonance and tension, moving towards harmonious resolution, that the full vocabulary of musical expression is released. Life on earth reflects these patterns of music: there are periods of bright light and harmony, periods of sorrow and sombre chords, periods of strife and even periods of noise and discord. During these various times, when we look and listen to nature, we will hear some kind of utterance coming from the creatures of the world, these sounds rise up to God in praise and thanksgiving. All creatures are given to praise the Lord and to sing of the wonderful things that he has done! This is not where the singing and praising will end, for we are rejoicing and looking forward to the wonderful miracles that the Lord will still do for the earth, her people and creatures. Sometimes we have to sing softly in our masks, sometimes we have to sing quietly in the darkness, but the most beautiful songs are sung when we can all come together and praise our Lord with one voice, singing the heavenly hallelujah, for our Lord has risen and he reigns. God loves to hear our voices singing to him and to listen to our use of musical instruments enhancing our praises. He enjoys all the unique sounds and timbre. Let us rejoice in our Lord.
“With gratitude in your hearts sing to God,” writes the Apostle Paul in Chapter 3 verse 16 in his letter to the Colossians. When we read through scripture we find many references to the songs that were sung in praise and worship to the Lord. These songs expressed the inner thoughts of the people who sang, the music they made was shared with those who heard the singing. Paul and Silas are prime examples of using the power of songs of praise in dismal situations, calling on God and inspiring the people around them in the dark of the prison night. Through songs of praise, Paul and Silas possibly preached one of their most powerful sermons, there in the jail, to their congregation of inmates, and how God listened and answered. He send an earth quake and not only Paul and Silas, but all the prisoners chains were broken, however, no one ran away, but stayed and presented themselves to the prison guard, who was brought to faith.
We do not know how God will use our songs, but we can be assured that God will use our songs to strengthen and beautify the journey of our fellow pilgrims. Before long we will hear how many people will take up the song and the melody and sing with us as we journey together to the City of the Lord. Give thanks with a joyful heart, give thanks to our Lord.
Father God, thank you that you have created the ability in humans and animals and all created things to praise you and sing to you joyful songs of redemption. Inspire us to continue to practice our hallelujahs until we join in the great choir of heaven, Amen.