Tag Archives: Singing

Songs for the Soul

Living in the Spirit
August 17, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 My Dad played the guitar and sang most evenings. I went to sleep to the sound of country blues. I think it soothed his soul. On probably my first sleepover with a friend, as we laid side by side in her bed and everything was quiet, I asked her when her dad was going to sing. She had no idea what I was talking about. I guess I inherited my love of music from my Dad.

David played the harp and sang to the sheep. He also sang to King Saul to soothe his soul. The Israelites sang to celebrate the laying of the temple foundation after their return from Exile. Jesus and the Disciples sang a hymn at the close of their Last Supper together before leaving for the Mount of Olives. Paul and Silas sang in prison.

The scripture above is the source of one of my favorite childhood songs, I Have a Song that Jesus Gave Me.

I have a song that Jesus gave me,
It was sent from Heav’n above;
There never was a sweeter melody,
’Tis the melody of love.
Refrain
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody with Heaven’s harmony;
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody of love*.

 The Book of Psalms is a great source of soul-soothing messages. Let us all sing God’s songs to prepare us for our work in his love.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of music that enlightens us about your love. Amen.

*First verse and refrain of I Have a Song that Jesus Gave Me by Elton M. Roth. See at http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/h/a/ihavsong.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Sing!

Just singLiving in the Spirit
September 26, 2015

Scripture Reading: James 5:13-20

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. –James 5:13-16

I think this entire scripture is good advice but when I read it today, I wanted to add a sentence encouraging those who suffer and are sick to also sing. Of course, that makes sense because I love music.

Saul was soothed by David’s playing of the harp,

And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him. (I Samuel 16:23)

Congreve said it well, Music has charms to sooth a savage breast.   

 We make choices every day that impact the quality of our lives. We can wallow in self-pity or we can look for the good in a bad situation. Can’t you just picture Paul and Silas singing in prison? What gave them the peace to sing in such a place as that? The answer is threefold: The presence of the Holy Spirit, the surety of Gods abundant love in all situations, and the knowledge of the Suffering Servant, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We each have these same resources available to us.

O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. (Psalm 96:1)

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your gift of music. Let ours songs of praise to you be a wonderful gift in return. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

How Can I Keep from Singing?

SingingLiving in the Spirit
November 19, 2014

Scripture Reading: Psalm 100

 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
   Worship the Lord with gladness;
   come into his presence with singing.

  Know that the Lord is God.
   It is he that made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

  Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
   and his courts with praise.
   Give thanks to him, bless his name.

  For the Lord is good;
   his steadfast love endures for ever,
   and his faithfulness to all generations.

 I awoke with a song in my heart this morning. I hate to say it but that was unusual. It wasn’t always unusual. I sang all the time as a child. My dad was a singer, I guess I got that from him. When I sat down to consider Psalm 100 it struck me how out of the ordinary my morning singing was. It made me wonder if I still believed that God’s steadfast love endures forever and that God is still faithful to all generations. After some deep soul searching, I came to the conclusion that I do still believe in God’s steadfast love and its enduring nature.

I love the old hymns. Love the new ones, too. The song that greeted my heart this morning was Sanctuary by Vineyard but the one that spoke to me this morning during my time of contemplation of Psalm 100 was How Can I Keep from Singing? By Robert Lowry. Written in, of all times, 1860 just before the Civil War. The words are somewhat archaic but it certainly speaks to Gods faithfulness to all generations. I cannot say it better, so here it is:

My life flows on in endless song;
 Above earth’s lamentation
 I hear the sweet though far off hymn
 That hails a new creation:
 Through all the tumult and the strife
 I hear the music ringing;
 It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die?
 The Lord my Savior liveth;
 What though the darkness gather round!
 Songs in the night He giveth:
 No storm can shake my inmost calm
 While to that refuge clinging;
 Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
 How can I keep from singing?

 I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
 I see the blue above it;
 And day by day this pathway smoothes
 Since first I learned to love it:
 The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
 A fountain ever springing:
 All things are mine since I am His—
How can I keep from singing?*

Prayer: Thank you for reminding us that we are yours for always and ever. Write your songs on our hearts, as we return them to you in joy. Amen.

* http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/c/hcaikeep.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.