The Sound of Music

Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name.                                                                                         Psalm 30:4

I grew up in a family that hummed and sang a lot. Punishment even involved songs. My mother had a habit of breaking out in song immediately after inflicting punishment on my poor innocent body. She sang “Somewhere over the Rainbow” or “There’s No Tomorrow” as she went about her household chores. At the time I thought she enjoyed doling out the punishment. After having children of my own I knew that she was only trying to defuse the situation.

I can’t whistle, but my mother and daddy did. My daddy could even yodel. Our home was filled with sounds of music.

I sang in our junior high and high school choirs. Music has always been a big part of my life. The radio or CD player is always on in my car. When I’m invited to see a drama I refrain and explain, “If there is no singing or dancing, I’m probably not interested.”

I have friends and acquaintances who say they can’t sing. They stand in church feeling uncomfortable as we praise the Lord with song. I have a feeling that the problem is that they were not exposed to singing at home, church, or school. I know for a fact that one of my friends makes that claim, but I have heard her sing very familiar ditties when she wasn’t even aware of it. She just lacks self-confidence. I think that is the case with most non-singers. They think you have to have a beautiful voice to praise the Lord. I have to remember that any joyful noise to the Lord pleases him. As I grow older, my alto voice can’t possibly hit some of the high notes I attempt. Excuse me, Lord, but you know I squeak them out in love.

God’s Word is chocked full of admonitions concerning music. The book of Psalm alone should inspire the most silent worshiper to join the chorus and sing praise. God didn’t require you to have a great voice or even to sing on key. Maybe some of the following verses will lead you to break out in song.

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises (Psalm 47:6).

Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! (Psalm 147:1)

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians: 5:19).

Dear Father, Give us a desire to praise You in song. Take away our fear of singing to the God who loves us with an everlasting love.

Janice Yandell