Psalm 96:1: “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! / Sing to the LORD, all the earth.”

April 11th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

At one time or another, we have all had a song get stuck in our head, either because it was a masterpiece or just simply catchy. Down through the ages, music has been an important part of almost every culture. The Scripture mentions songs and singing 303 times. All of this points us to the fact that music is a gift from God and one of the ways He has chosen to reveal Himself to us. It also seems that He uses it as a means of allowing us to discover creativity within ourselves. That’s not too surprising since God is by definition the Creator, and when we write, play, and sing music, we discover new insights into His character.

Many of the great classical composers wrote their music to try and reflect an understanding of God and His Creation. Johann Sebastian Bach’s (1685–1750) personal Bible contains over 300 handwritten, marginal notes, giving us a wonderful window into his gift of music. He wrote in the margin next to 2 Chronicles 5:12–13 (which records how as the Levites worshiped at the dedication of the temple, the glory of the Lord filled the place): “In devotional music, God is always present with His grace.” He was obviously a person who spent some time pouring over Scripture in personal study.

Hymn writers in more recent history have taken up the challenge to sing a “new” song, meaning a freshly written work. Down to this day, the Holy Spirit continues to inspire fresh compositions about God for us to sing to our Creator. One of the best antidotes for the storms of life is to find a private, quiet place and sing a song to the Creator.

“LORD, we choose to sing to You a song of gratitude and thanksgiving this day, in Jesus’ name.”