SOOTHING MUSIC FOR THE SAVAGE

 

Music became a part of my life when I was 12 years old.  I'll always be grateful to my parent's for making sure I was able to take piano lessons.  When I got stressed or upset I could always turn to the piano and after five or ten minutes of "attacking" the keys, my emotions would calm down and the music would became more melodious and less aggressive!  I've heard the saying "music calms the savage beast" and wondered just where it came from.  Turns out the actual phrase in modern English is:  "Music has Charms to soothe a savage Breast" and was coined by the Playwright/Poet William Congreve, in The mourning bride, 1697.  HERE'S the link at Answers.com. 

 

WE OFTEN ASSOCIATE MUSIC WITH IMPORTANT EVENTS IN OUR LIVES 

Imagine a wedding without music, a parade without a marching band, a graduation commencement without Pomp and Circumstance, a sporting event without the National Anthem,  and the U.S. President making a public appearance without "Hail to the Chief".  

 

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

We have wonderful examples of songs of praise and rejoicing by various people of the Bible.  These inspired words express in scripture a true understanding of the praise and worship to the Lord.

Exodus 15:20,21  Miriam praised the Lord by leading the other women in songs of rejoicing and dancing for the triumphant crossing of the Red Sea in the Exodus from Egyptian slavery. 

Judges 5:1-31  Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise to the Lord for the victory in battle in the land of Canaan.

 I Samuel 2:1-11  Hannah rejoiced and praised the Lord for the birth of Samuel. 

Luke 1:46-55  Mary's soul magnified the Lord that she was chosen to give birth to the Messiah.

Music can often change the emotional state of an individual.  In  I Samuel 16:14-23  David's harp-playing led him to the palace in an effort to soothe the evil (distressed) spirit of King Saul.  However, in I Samuel 18:5-11  King Saul's jealous rage exploded when the women sang a song that "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" in "the slaughter of the Philistines".

Other songs in scripture include the Song of Moses and Joshua (Deuteronomy 32:1-47), the Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21), and the Song of David (2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18).  There are many other prayers recorded in scripture that could also be considered songs.

THE BOOK OF PSALMS

 

The Book of Psalms is by far the largest collection of songs in God's Word and is often referred to as the Bible's Hymn Book.  Reading the Psalms will always bring joy, comfort, encouragement and blessing to God's people.  The following is a quote from the introduction to the book of Psalms in my King James Study Bible: 



"If one word could be chosen to describe the book of Psalms, certainly "praises" would qualify, for there is no psalm that does not contain an element of praise."

King David wrote the majority of the psalms in the Bible.  Other authors include Moses, Asaph, Solomon, Heman, and Ethan.  Sixty-one psalms are anonymous and twelve are assigned to "The Sons of Korah".  
   
 

CHURCH MUSIC SHOULD ALWAYS

ENHANCE THE PREACHING OF THE WORD

The most important part of a church worship service is the preaching of the Word.  It is the preaching of God's Word that convicts the soul.  Music speaks to the emotional uplifting of the Word.  The modern world has brought many types of music and musical instruments into church worship services.  I'm always sadden to hear that a person has stopped attending their church services simply because they don't like the music.  The songs of the Bible should be our guide for the music in our church's worship service.  It should always be according to scripture and glorify the Lord. 

My prayer is that you will be encouraged to fill your life with music that brings honor and glory to the matchless name of Jesus.                                 

Blessings, Pamelyn