The Power of Song

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing!”  Psalm 100:1-2

“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”  Ephesians 5:19

When scanning new artwork in Churchart, a company we use to provide photos and clipart, my eyes fell on the drawing below. I couldn’t help but start singing the tune in my head, something I’m certain many of you do when you hear a title or a phrase from a favorite or well-known song or hymn. Whether it’s considered an “earworm” or just a happy sing-along song, we may hum or sing the tune.

If you’ve grown up in church, you’re probably no different from me in that certain songs flood you with emotion. They take us back in time. They make us sad, or happy. They make us nostalgic. Most music has the capacity to do this, but when we hear a hymn that means something special, God may feature in that appreciation.

When I asked some of the members of my bible study to share what spiritual music/hymns/church music means to them, here are some of the responses I received:

•         Soothing, relaxing, calming anxiety, helps clear my head.
•       I love how a song or melody will stick in my head. Often when I need it most, the Holy Spirit will use it to bring to mind a scripture or encouraging thought from Sunday throughout my week. (I.e. the refrain of Here I am Lord stuck with me this week!) Ps. 98:4 "...burst into jubilant song with music...'
•       Music in church is always special no matter how it is presented. I think it has to do with the understood reason for the performance. It is always an attempt to bring the congregants closer to the Divine. When I as the listener participate in that way, I often feel that closeness. The Spirit can move in the music through raw beauty, or by raising memories of cherished people and times, or by making me happy by a beat or a children's performance. It is much the same if I participate as a performer. To work on a piece with others in order to balance the sounds of the sections and accompaniment and to move into that part that is especially your contribution to the whole, is a lasting kind of joy. To share that with my people in church does bring me closer to the Divine.

Gospel music and hymns remind me of my mother. She and her two sisters often performed together, and Because He Lives is one song that the three of them would sing together. It’s one of those songs that makes me nostalgic and whose lyrics comfort me at the same time.  

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone,

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

 

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he brings;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

 

And then one day, I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives! 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of song, of music, of lyrics that draw us closer to you and others. Amen.

Donna Gustafson