GOD SPEAKS THROUGH MUSIC

Kari Farnell

Today I have two questions for you. The first is, what is your favorite song? The second question, why is it your favorite or what do you like most about that particular song?

A lot of songs have a really catchy beat or certain instrumentation that really draws your attention. My husband can pick out the instrumentation and different beats in songs much more easily than I can. I tend to hear the “whole” song, but he can pick out those separate pieces.  

I grew up in a musical family. My grandmother could play the guitar AND harmonica at the same time. She could sing alto in the choir with the best of them. She also played a little bit on the piano. My mother played the piano from a very early age, as did I. At the age of six I began to sing with my Mom at various hymn sings and church events. She and I both have spent time as organists, pianists, and choir directors. Eventually my sister joined our little group and as my own children grew, they sang with me and our little group as well. In choosing music for us to sing, as well as for the choirs she directed, my mother would focus mainly on one thing. The WORDS. Sure the melody had to be a nice tune and the song had to be within the skill of the singers, but more important than that was the message that was being given...the words of the songs. 

Throughout history, the words in songs have been used to encourage people. Think of all of the military songs that encourage our troops. There is a different one for each branch of the military. There are words in songs that speak of romance and love, and others that share the raw emotions of the writer. When playing the organ in church, there are times that I get a little teary-eyed thinking of the words of a particular hymn. For many, the words for “In the Garden” are very meaningful. They paint a picture of rising early and meeting Jesus and then taking a walk with Him as a close friend. If you consider even the short chorus of “His Name is Wonderful”, it speaks volumes. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace “.

It is amazing how God has chosen the writers of music to speak His words to people. Even today’s modern Christian songwriters are proclaiming the words of God through their music. Although it may be to a different and unfamiliar tune, the words of God are still there. In particular, I think of a new song I’ve heard lately by a group called “We the Kingdom”. Their song “Holy Water” has some very powerful words. The chorus states, “Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips. Like the sound of a symphony to my ears. Like Holy water on my skin.” Listen to it here.

One of the songs by Casting Crowns that has touched me is “Praise You in This Storm”, whose chorus is as follows: “And I'll praise you in this storm. And I will lift my hands, that you are who you are, no matter where I am. And every tear I've cried You hold in your hand. You never left my side. And though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm”. This song backs up one of my favorite verses in the Bible about giving thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." I will praise you in this storm; in the middle of these trials. Listen to this song here.

Lauren Daigle is a modern artist with several songs that have meaningful words. One of these is the song “You Say” The chorus goes like this, “You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing. You say I am strong when I think I am weak. And you say I am held when I am falling short. And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours. And I believe, Oh I believe, What You say of me, I believe.” Hear her song here.

I encourage you to listen to several of these artists if you don’t already. They may provide you with some much-needed words from God. In my opinion, God may have inspired the words to some of the songs the artists write and sing just as He did the writers of the Scriptures. No I’m not saying they are Scripture, but they can still be inspired by God. May God speak to you through one of these songs today.

Here is a list of some of my favorites:

Natalie Grant King of the World

Natalie Grant Your Great Name

Casting Crowns LifeSong

Crowder All My Hope
For King and Country God Only Knows

God Speaks Through Familiar Christmas Carols

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How often do we pay attention to the words we sing in those old familiar Christmas carols? I must admit that in “researching” for this post, I had to actually go back and look at the words to a lot of these carols. We all tend to know the first verse, often without even looking at the words, but how often do we really pay attention to what we are singing and how often do we focus on the message of the song? This is how God speaks to us through music. The melody and rhythm may ignite our soul, but the words are what speaks to us.

Growing up, my mother and I sang together often for different church events and occasions. Eventually my sister and my daughters started to sing with us as well. One thing I always remember about this experience with my mother (and I’m sure my sister and daughters would say the same) is that the words mattered. My mother was also a choir director and she used the same philosophy in choosing music for the choir...words mattered. Yes, the music had to be in the correct range and skill level of the singers, but then it was the message that was important. My family always viewed our singing as a ministry or opportunity to lead someone to Christ or bring them closer in their journey, so to us the words mattered more than the melody.

Because it is Christmas, I started thinking about the words to some of those more familiar Christmas carols that are sung in church this time of year and realized that I was not always familiar with the complete messages of those carols. Here is a closer look at the message from some of these well-known carols.

Kari Farnell

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing-- written in 1739 by Charles Wesley, adapted by George Whitefield in 1758. By 1961, our present adaptation was complete. This Christmas Hymn begins, in the first two verses, exclaiming the birth of Jesus, as do most Christmas carols. The third verse makes a striking change and acknowledges that Jesus came from Heaven, gives life to all, and has risen to heal our sins. It proclaims that Jesus puts aside his “Glory” to come to earth. I love the way Charles Wesley originally wrote the ending, “Born—that Man no more may die, Born—to raise the Sons of Earth, Born—to give them Second Birth.” The entire third verse explains Jesus’ reason for coming to Earth.

Kari Farnell

Joy to the World--words by Isaac Watts (1719), traditional music by Lowell Mason (1848). Although Joy to the World is one of the most published (according to Wikipedia) Christmas hymns in North America, if you really look at the words, it really reflects Jesus’ power and future coming more than it does His first coming.  Verse 1 could arguably be about Jesus’ birth. Verse 2 is an ode to Jesus’ reign as King where even nature sings His praises. Verse 3 refers to Jesus’ death on the cross which allows us to live in Heaven where there will be no more sin, sadness, thorns, etc. HE BREAKS THE CURSE of death! Verse 4 is a proclamation of Jesus’ future reign over all of the world; of His righteousness and love.

Good Christian Men, Rejoice--attributed to Heinrich Suso circa 1328; music In dulci jubilo circa 1305.

This is an interesting example of how God can even speak through “suspect” people. Heinrich Suso was considered a German mystic, who claimed to have either had a vision or an actual sighting of angels singing these words. As they sang, he joined them in dancing. However Suso was “inspired” to write the words, they are something God can use to speak to us. Verse 1 exclaims the birth of Jesus even in present tense. He is in the manger now!  Verse 2 gives the reason for Jesus to come to earth. His birth is the catalyst of the opening of Heaven to us. Verse 3 again proclaims that we have no more need to fear [eternal] death because Jesus was born to save us. He calls all of us to be present at His table in Heaven and has provided the means for getting there.

Kari Farnell

The last familiar Christmas carol I’d like to mention is O Come, All Ye Faithful. The text of this hymn is attributed to many different people. It was originally printed by John Francis Wade circa 1750, but originally appeared on a manuscript bearing the name of King John IV of Portugal in the mid-1600s. The music also has been attributed to various people including John Wade and a musician in the court of King John IV. Whoever penned the words to this carol, did so as a reflection of praise of the birth of Jesus. They call all people to come and celebrate and worship the newborn Christ. Verses 1, 3, and 4 issue this proclamation and praise of Jesus, while verse 2 explains who Jesus is; the true God, begotten not created.

Kari Farnell

During this Christmas season, I urge you to pay attention to the words; to allow God to speak to you through the familiar; to find something new among the traditional. As you listen to the traditional songs, decide whether they are telling the story of Jesus, or whether they are asking you to praise Him for who He is.

The next post will take a similar track as this, but using modern Christian Christmas songs. I’m excited to see what God will tell us about those.

God Loves to Sing

Kari Farnell

The local Christian radio station touts “the right song at the right time”. Often that is true; they just happen to be playing “just the right song” to meet whatever need I have at the time.  Music, as the saying goes, hath charms to soothe the savage beast.  Even David used music to soothe King Saul in his bouts of depression. 

Have you ever been sad or in a bad mood and turned on the radio just in time to hear music that touches your soul? That touches your very being? Sometimes it’s the actual music; sometimes it’s the lyrics that appeal to us. Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to learn something if you put it to music and how quickly you can learn the words?  If I mention the following brands, you will likely start singing the song in your head.  Empire flooring, Liberty Mutual, Mattress Warehouse, Farmer’s Insurance; there are many others.

via Unsplash

Deuteronomy 31:19 (The Voice)--”So I want you to write down this song and teach it to the children of Israel. Teach them to sing it, so it can be a witness for Me against them.”

Music and singing are an important to God and a big part of the Bible.  As is seen in the verse above, God instructs the Israelites to teach songs to the children and these songs are ones that will be a witness for God.  It was a convenient way to remember some of the laws and teachings of God. The entire book of Psalms is songs written mostly by David. Some ask for help, some give praise to God and still others are reflections. 

Throughout time, songs have been used to memorize things, and to rouse soldiers and villagers to arms and bravery, among other things. God has often been the architect of the music and musical occasions.  Remember Joshua and the Battle of Jericho?  God instructed the Israelites to march around the city for seven days with the first six days being led by the trumpeters sounding their horns.

via Dreamstime.com

An article I read recently entitled, “The Godly Purpose for Music” by David F. Maas, concludes with these thoughts:

God's Word has shown us the following things about music:

1. Music is a gift and blessing from God.

2. Music is a powerful, mood-altering agent.

3. Music is used to praise God and to create an atmosphere to receive God's Spirit.

4. Music involves sacrifice.

I’ve gone down this long, winding path and now get to the point of this “episode” of the blog.  One of my very favorite verses in the Bible is Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)--”The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with SINGING. 

Knowing how God has used music throughout the Bible and how He feels about music adds so much more excitement to this verse.  God takes delight in us and He rejoices over us with singing.  He sings to proclaim His love for His own creations. 

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Let’s examine how the four points mentioned by David Mass, above, fit into this verse. 

Point 1—“Music is a gift and blessing from God”.  When God is singing over us, He is blessing us; giving us a gift.  We may not always be aware of the gift at first, but it is there!

Point 2—“Music is a powerful, mood-altering agent”.  God is singing over us to help us find peace; to calm our spirits and if needed, alter our moods.

Point 3—“Music is used to praise God and to create an atmosphere to receive God’s Spirit”. By singing over us, God is proclaiming His love for His creation and is creating in us an atmosphere to receive God’s Spirit, if we but ask for it.

Point 4—“Music involves sacrifice”. God made the ultimate sacrifice when He sent Jesus, His son, to bear the burden of our sins. God is singing over us to prepare us to receive this sacrificial gift of His Son’s death. It wasn’t our physical death (because we each will go through that), but it was our spiritual death that He took on and all of the darkness, sadness, and grief for which we are destined without acceptance of His sacrifice.

So I leave you with a mental image. When your days are rough and the road is weary, think of Zephaniah 3:17 and imagine God, sitting on His golden throne, singing YOUR name in His song!