I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. (Psalm 49:4)
From the beginning of time, music has been infinitely important to mankind; more specifically, sacred music is essential to the believer as a source of inspiration and encouragement, especially in times of trouble. This idea is particularly highlighted in the life of David who, in times of victory and despair, would turn to his harp and compose melodies to frame his prayers and petitions. The more vigorously the strings were plucked, the more pronounced the sound and the more resonant the tone would be. Likewise, the more God plucked David’s heartstrings through trial and tribulation, the more sacred music he composed. As David himself said, “Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp!” (Psalm 57:9).
The point is that our soul is aroused and stimulated by life experiences in the same way an instrument comes to life when its strings are plucked or a cymbal is struck, especially in times of distress. The argument could be made that it is in those times of distress and trouble that our soul is far more sensitive to spiritual matters. In difficult times, we are provoked to “incline our ear“ to hear the Word of the Lord being spoken to us. And being sensitive to what our soul is sensing — and learning — has, through the ages, been converted into prayer and song. As it is written, “I will sing and give praise with all my soul” (Psalm 108:1).
There is a reason that Jehoshaphat appointed singers and those “who should praise the beauty of holiness” before the army as they went to meet their adversaries. According to Scripture, it was their song and praise — offered to God in the midst of trouble — that prompted the Lord to set an ambush for Judah’s enemies and destroy them all (2 Chronicles 20). There is a reason that Paul and Silas decided to pray and sing hymns to God as they sat in a Philippian jail; and when they did, God shook the jail and freed them from their chains. More importantly, a man who may never have believed in the Lord without this demonstration became a believer that night. And so, whatever the situation we find ourselves in, God has given us one of the best remedies for our ailment — song. Not only is song a remedy but is also a weapon of war; one that is able to scatter our enemy, and at the same time, lift our spirit.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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