Music is such a part of human culture. As far as I know it is not unique to my own culture. It seems to be universal. I have seen productions where musicians go to very rural spots and meet people who live their lives with none of what we consider modern conveniences. They seem to always find that these people have music and singing and then they try to find a way to perform music with these people. It always has fascinating results because people are musical.
God’s people are musical as well. Music has already been a part of worship. People sing for all kinds of reasons, but we have the best reason of all. Crowds sing in praise of their country. They sing is praise of their schools. They sing in praise of their teams. In just a couple of months in the 6 Nations competition we will hear ‘The Fields of Athenry’ and ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’ being sung in packed rugby stadiums.
These folks all sing out because they really believe in their causes.
But we believers have the greatest reason for song. We can sing of the mercies of God. We can sing of His defence and His protection and His strength. We can sing of His goodness and glory and grandeur.
I enjoy a good hearty patriotic song. I enjoy being a sporting event and joining in a good chorus of ‘Ireland’s Call’ or ‘Come on You Boys in Blue.’ This time of year I enjoy singing Christmas songs. I like country music and when I am alone in the car I wil sing along to ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’
But I also loving being in church, even with our few voices, and singing ‘O Church Arise’ and ‘The Power of the Cross’ and ‘How Can it Be’ and the like. Singing of the mercies and grace and love and power of God ought to be sung with the same vigour that we sing our national anthems or team songs or whatever.
‘I will sing aloud’ the psalmist says. Is that our testimony and our pattern.
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