The Gift of Song

Background Scripture: Exodus 15:1–21; 2 Chronicles 5:11–14
Lesson Scripture: Psalm 81:1; Ephesians 5:19–20; Psalm 100:1–5; Colossians 3:16–17

Introduction

Music is a part of every known civilization and a universal ingredient of human culture. Within civilization, music has many corporate uses: it is performed at sporting events, by soldiers on the march, and of course, as part of worship services. Music is also a deeply personal expression and has a way of seeping into every aspect of our lives.

Song, in the form with which we are familiar, has two primary components—the melody and the message. When we like a song, it is usually because we are attracted to one of these components. The message of a song contains some truth we hold dear, expresses a thought or feeling that aligns with our own feelings or life experience, or offers us hope in the middle of some crisis. The poetry coupled with melody makes this message more memorable. In this manner, song can embed messages in our hearts and make them stick in a way that nothing else can.

The other way in which song can get our attention is by the appeal of the music itself. We might like the sound of a song and sing it for years before we fully become aware of the message that it contains. When this happens, it is as if a seed has been planted in our heart, lies dormant for a time, and then bursts into startling bloom.

In both of these ways, and probably many others, songs plant lasting messages in our hearts, almost as if they are smuggled in without our notice. One of these songs can spring to mind for no apparent reason, bringing with it a message we did not know we remembered and providing background music to our day that is life-enriching.

Because of music’s unique impact, it can be a double-edged sword. If we engage with the music of the world, we will find that its messages of self-glorification, immorality, or violence compete with the good news of the gospel. We must be aware of the influence music has on us and use the gift of song carefully and wisely.

Key Verse

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed (Ps. 71:23).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Today’s lesson scripture contains passages from Psalms and excerpts from Paul’s writings in which he instructs his audience in the use of psalms, hymns, and songs. Not all psalms are positive in tone; some express sorrow for personal failings (Ps. 51), while others lament the apparent inaction of God against the assault of the wicked (Ps. 74). This highlights how song can capture feelings of discouragement, doubt, and distress, but Paul points his audience toward giving thanks. Even psalms which express sorrow or discouragement often return to things which are thank-worthy.

Thanksgiving psalms are one of twelve distinguishable types in the book of Psalms.1 Psalm 100 fits this type, but it also includes aspects of praise, which is another of the twelve types. A psalm of praise may be indistinguishable from a psalm of thanksgiving in most regards, but the distinction between these two types, in this case, is that thanksgiving psalms express gratitude for things God has done (his works), while psalms of praise acknowledge aspects of God’s character (his attributes).

God’s deeds throughout the Old Testament are referenced in a number of separate psalms. The events of the exodus are found in Psalm 81, which follow the verse in the lesson scripture. The background scripture from Exodus 15 records a song which also memorializes God’s works—his victory over Pharaoh by drowning Egypt’s army in the Red Sea. The psalmist also notes God’s redemption in the key verse.

Some of the attributes of God, such as justice, faithfulness, compassion, and patience, are found in Psalm 103:6–8, and in the lesson scripture, his goodness, mercy, and truth are noted (Ps. 100:5). While thanking God for his deeds acknowledges what He has done, praising Him for his character acknowledges who He is. Though there is a distinction between the two, they are deeply intertwined, for God’s deeds are an expression of his character.

We are to be thankful, because we have something to be thankful for. This does not mean life goes just exactly as we like. Both Paul and his audience knew what it was like to suffer for their faith. After being beaten with rods, thrown into prison, and having their feet shackled, Paul and Silas found reason to sing in the night (Acts 16:24–25). None of this hardship destroyed or undermined their reasons to sing, which no doubt included an awareness of who God was and what He had done for them.

Practical Truths for Today

Though most of us do not face persecution like Paul and his contemporaries, we can still find ourselves losing sight of our reason to sing. Life is filled with legitimate concerns; we need to earn a living, cook, clean, and discipline the children. Days can become so filled with responsibilities that time management turns into a great balancing act. When our schedules are full to capacity and having a successful day depends on each part of it going exactly as planned, small, unexpected deviations from the plan can quickly overwhelm us and threaten to turn a good day into a bad one.

This kind of bad day often comes because of the pressure we put on ourselves. Bad days can stretch into weeks, months, and even years, making life seem like a desert. Good things become scarce, God seems distant, and we begin to question where God really is. If God is a God of all that is good, and good is not happening, then does He really care? Where is the God who helps his people, and how should we respond when He lets us suffer?

When the psalmist was in distress, he turned to song, using it as a ministry to himself. A song can serve as a reminder to place hope and confidence in God (Ps. 42:5). Paul wrote of rejoicing in tribulation and told early Christians, whose trials were much more severe than ours, to make melody to the Lord and be thankful. These encouragements would not be Scripture if it was impossible to follow them.

Thanksgiving and praise may provide helpful insight for times of spiritual drought. When the things God has done for us seem to recede for one reason or another, psalms, hymns, and songs can remind us of who God is. The things God did for us in the past were expressions of his goodwill and love toward us, and even though this love and goodwill seem to be obscured, God’s unchanging character can again shine through some bars of music. Through a simple strain of words and melody, we can trust God and find his application of the Holy Spirit as He directs our thoughts to words with the words of a song.

Christian joy does not end suffering but sustains us so that we can endure it. Joy is cultivated through song, and singing can serve to remind us that joy in suffering is possible. And because of how they become embedded in our hearts, songs can deliver these reminders even without us being fully aware of what is happening.

Questions

1. Many of the beloved gospel songs of the last three centuries contain one or more of the basic types of psalms examined in this lesson. Should this be a continuing standard in modern compositions?
2. How do people who do not enjoy singing, or simply cannot sing, not miss out on the gift of song?
3. Because of modern technology, songs can be transmitted and shared more easily than ever before. How should we use this as an opportunity and an advantage? What are the dangers and pitfalls of this?
4. 1 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible.

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).