‘Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy’. Psalm 33:1-3 (NIV)
This is just one of the many songs in the Bible. A song that calls us to worship our beautiful, creative and musical God! Our God who comes to bring joy. It is no secret that music can lift spirits, be a healing balm in difficult times, bring back beautiful memories or just make us want to get up and dance. It is a universal language that brings joy to the soul in diversity and creativity. It can be a powerful expression of who we are, how we are feeling, our stories, as well as stories of the world and cultures and histories. It can be a way of communicating with people we wouldn’t otherwise be able to, deep truths and shared experiences.
I love the picture we have of God’s people walking for days on end to the temple in Jerusalem for their festivals, encouraging one another with songs as they went. That important truths and stories would be taught and passed down in song, because not only is God’s word true and essential, it is also beautiful and to be enjoyed.
It is no wonder that God who transcends all time, cultures, styles, class, language and tribe would call us to join together in praising him with joyful music. The joy of being made in God’s image is that we are invited into His great symphony, each diverse in our parts and harmonious in our unity, called to join in and reflect the beauty of God. So perhaps today, you can find a minute to pick up your tambourine, run your hands along the piano keys or sing for all you’re worth in the shower of the greatness of our God, until the day we will join together with every nation and tongue singing praises in infinite joy.
Abi Andrews
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