“Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does”.

Psalm 33:3-4

For as long as I can remember, music has been a part of my life. With my parents and grandparents all being professional musicians, I began early in life to appreciate the joyful sounds and the passionate songs that surrounded me daily.

Though I had also learned to recognize the restful peace that music brought when my heart and soul was unsettled, there was one song that brought reason for concern. It was the familiar song called the Mom Hum. The most significant Mom Hum I remember was on a family vacation when the power steering went out as we topped a mountain pass. I remember the intensity of the Mom Hum increasing as we prayed our way down. But by the grace of God, we made it! Somehow, I think God knows that even an intense hum is a cry for help, but also a praise, that we can trust him to see us through.

King David too, had learned early in life about the peaceful and merciful powers of song. David, described as “the sweet psalmist of Israel”, would play his harp to comfort and heal Saul’s troubled soul.

The songs of the people of Judah defeated the army that stood before them. And the song that Jesus sang with his disciples brought strength and remembrance that the road to the cross is not easy, but the Hope of deliverance is secured.

Numerous references to music throughout the Bible reveal to me that music is a part of the essence of God. He sings His praise over us when we walk in His ways and delights when we joyfully sing to Him. He yearns to speak peace to our hearts as much as we yearn to receive it.

And just as David’s music brought a benefit to Saul, and the Mom Hum perceptively led us to safety, the sound of music is beneficial to us all. Research shows that music helps us rest better, reduces our stress, and lifts our mood. Faith shows us that music brings us into the presence of God! And when you are in the presence of God, there is no room for concern, because no bad thing can come from God.

Worry and anxiety robs us of praise because the enemy would like nothing more than to fill our hearts with songs of distress. He longs to bring us down from the throne of grace and separate us from the good things that God has for us. But Praise silences the enemy’s song, redirecting our minds, and changing our perspectives. Praise sets eternity in our hearts in exchange for our temporary concerns.

The battle is hard my friends, but it’s already won. God is in the business of making things new. So, grab a microphone or strum a guitar, sing in the shower or shout in the car, or maybe just whistle or hum, but silence your songs of distress and “Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does”.

12 words

Praise silences the enemy’s song, redirecting our minds, and changing our perspectives.

 

God, thank you for your Word and for your examples of love, power, and peace. I ask you to silence the songs of distress that play in my mind, and place a new song of praise in my heart – a song of hope and joy – that settles my worries and calms my fears. Keep me focused on the truth that I can trust you to work all things out for good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.