“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – (Psalm 100:2)

The music in our church service this Sunday was especially uplifting and as our combined voices rose in a single outpouring of praise for our Heavenly Father, I was suddenly made aware of the beautiful gift that music is and how it has been lovingly bestowed upon us by the Lord himself. The playing of musical instruments is recorded very early in the book of Genesis;

“His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.” (Genesis 4:21)

It continues to be a theme right through the Bible, with the best example being the book of Psalms, known as the Psalter, a collection of beautiful thoughts set to music and accompanied by instruments, used in joyful worship to the Heavenly Father. In the last book of the Bible we read of the spectacular vision John sees of angels worshipping with musical instruments and songs, a final reminder of how music brings great joy to the Father.

“ ..They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb.” (Revelation 15:2 – 3)

Just recently I was reading a very interesting article about the powerful way music is used as therapy in many various situations and I loved the title;

Music speaks when words fail.

It mentioned the incredible role music therapy played in helping a range of people from autistic children to the elderly with dementia. Another article I was reading spoke of an old lady with severe dementia, who was unable to recognise her loved ones, but if she was taken to a piano could play without stumbling, beautiful hymns one after another. God’s gift to her overcame her disability. We all know the wonderful way softly singing to a baby soothes and calms that little one and leads to a peaceful sleep and one of my favourite verses tells us that is just what the Lord does for us when we are troubled and afraid. We need only to be still and listen for that sweet voice;

“…He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

When we recognise God’s hand in such a beautiful gift, the gift itself becomes a way of acknowledging the giver. We can give back that gift in joyful recognition of his love by singing his praises and using music to unite other believers in our love for each other and our love for him. When Paul is writing to the Ephesians he urges them not to forget to do this;

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19 – 20)

I particularly like the phrase, “make music in your heart” Sometimes it may not be fitting to burst into a loud song praising the Lord, but what a beautiful way to go about our daily living with music in our hearts, and I am sure if we practice this it will be evident in our behaviour to all we come across.

“Let everything that has breathe praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)