June 15, 2024

 

Psalm 33, 2 + 3

Praise the Lord with the harp; create music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

 

Dear Readers,

 

today I would like to show you a Russian stamp. It shows a painting from the Trjetkovskaya State Gallery in Moscow. It is a painting by the artist V. A. Tropinin from 1832 and shows a guitar player. The picture reminded me of my youth, when I used to strum my guitar just like this young man. I played for a few years back then, only to realize that I lost interest a short while later. 

 

Do you like to play an instrument, or did you ever play one? Do you like to sing? I am convinced that music is part of our lives! Please try to imagine if there was no music at all on our planet. There wouldn't be a single musical instrument. There wouldn't be a single person who could sing. Wouldn't that be terribly sad?

 

Some time ago, I saw a movie about disabled people who were born deaf and blind. I was very touched by this documentary! I saw women and men who had never been able to see the sun in their lives. I saw people who have never been able to listen to music. These people could only experience their environment through touch and feel. They could only perceive music through the rhythmic vibrations of sounds, e.g. through loudspeaker boxes.

 

I made me realize what a great gift it is to be able to see and hear. I want to be grateful to God that I can enjoy music and praise him in songs. Even if the taste in music in Christian congregations varies like the flowers in a summer meadow. Music unites us in praising God. Music is as much a part of our faith as breathing is for our bodies. 

 

King David is probably the most famous harpist. This gifted artist challenges us to make music to our God and praise him with our songs. David also tells us why we should do this:

 

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.”

 

We should praise God for his faithfulness. We should praise God for his reliability. God does not make empty promises. He keeps, what he says. We Christians may praise and thank God with our songs.

 

I would like to encourage you to join in the song of King David. Perhaps with a melody that comes to mind, or with an instrument that you play. Or simply join in worship fully with the last lines of the 33rd Psalm:

 

“We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”

 

I trust that when you pray like this, it sounds like music to God's ears. 

 

Thank you very much for listening to me. I wish you much joy in making music and singing! I cordially invite you to the next devotion on July 1st. Until then, I wish you God's blessing and protection in spirit, soul and body through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Druckversion | Sitemap
© 2023 Hans-Peter Nann