Given that everything in the universe has its origin in God [1], it stands to reason music originated with God.
Granted, he could have bestowed the gift without participating himself, but scripture indicates otherwise.
In Psalm 42:8b we’re comforted with this assurance: “by night his song is with me.” Our part is to pay attention to the lyrics that proclaim his perfections and good works—lyrics he sings over us straight from his Word. When we memorize verses of God’s Song, they can comfort our hearts even in the darkest of times [2].
In Psalm 32:7 we read of God’s “songs of deliverance” that encourage and inspire. Where might we hear these songs?
In the calming sounds of nature. Creation is full of God-Song—beyond the musical offerings of birds. Think of burbling streams, the wind humming through evergreens, frogs ha-rumphing, crickets chirping, and the soulful underwater cries of humpback whales.
Indeed, God-Song surrounds us in the air, on land, and in the sea, reminding us we’re enveloped in his love. And because of that love, he provides deliverance from fear, trouble, distress, and the evil one [3].
Second, we hear songs affirming his goodness, dependability, and compassion in his Word [4].
Third, we hear God’s Song through the uplift of hymns and other Christian music. Men or women may be listed as the composers and lyricists, but surely all would give God the credit for his inspiration and empowering.
In Zephaniah 3:17 the prophet depicts God delighting in his people with song.
“He rejoices with joy and joys with his singing,
which shows how delighted he is with his people . . .
his own righteousness upon them,
his own grace in them.”
— John Gill
Of course, God wants us to make music also, and not just with our voices and instruments. God longs to come alongside, and within the sphere of his influence, make sublime music with our lives—much more beautiful and satisfying than anything we could accomplish on our own.
Perhaps you saw the video—based on an actual event (and available on YouTube):
A young father settles into his concert hall seat next to his wife, just as a performance is about to begin.
“Where’s Tommy?” he asks.
“I thought he was with you,” she exclaims, worry lines already criss-crossing her forehead.
At that moment the curtain goes up to reveal a little boy, oblivious to the audience, sitting at a grand piano, legs dangling above the pedals. Tommy.
One single note at a time—and rather haltingly at that—he begins to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
“Go get him!” Mom cries in a stage whisper.
Too late. A tuxedoed man is already approaching the piano from behind Tommy.
Will he reprimand the boy for touching the concert grand? Will he demand that the parents of the delinquent come to collect him?
No, he quietly leans over the boy and tells him to keep playing. Then he envelopes Tommy with his arms, and begins to add Mozart’s intricacies to the simple melody. Together they make sublime music, and both smile with pleasure. So does the audience.
That’s a picture of how the Virtuoso of the universe delights to make music with us, to raise our paltry human effort into transcendent God-Song. With his righteousness over us, and his grace in us, we can make beautiful music.
And those around us will hear and smile with pleasure, including the Maestro himself [5].
If you’d like to watch the video:
Art & photos credits: http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.pixabay.com.
[1] Colossians 1:16
[2] Psalm 23:4
[3] Psalm 34:4, 17; 107:6; Matthew 6:13
[4] Psalm 31:19; 145:17; 103:13-14
[5] Ephesians 3:20
From the Inside Out 
I’d never seen the video before – delightful! Thank you for your encouragement, Nancy! -C.D.
So glad you enjoyed it, Carole. (Also glad I was able to upload it properly! : ) )
God’s music is always singing over us, Nancy. Are we listening? Are we tuned in? Are we joining our small voices with the symphony of the universe God has created? Oh, I would pray so!
Loved the story of the little boy at the grand piano, too. We make our music, and God will come alongside us to guide and enable.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. You are so right: the key is to listen, to be tuned in to our Father’s voice. Also love your idea about the symphony of the universe. The pleasure of music is heightened when we can share it with others. So appreciate your insights, my friend!
Nancy, oh may I pay attention to God-song. Music is a big part of my life. Just knowing the Creator sings over me brings great joy. I have seen the video before. Thanks so much for sharing.
And thank you for stopping by, Pam. Music was a big part of my life too for many years. I have wonderful memories of making music with others–looking forward to heaven and singing with the choir there!
This is such a great post! I love how we’re reminded to not take everyday sightings (and hearings) for granted. God’s different ways of making music provide a beautiful blessing if we ‘tune’ in!
Great video illustration!
God-Song is indeed everywhere; my challenge is to pause and listen. Better yet, to let that Song resonate through me to others!
beautiful as usual. I read the other day that sand sings. The grains make different musical notes when they rub against each other. God even sings in the wilderness!
Sand plays musical notes?! Shaking my head in wonder here! God’s wonders do indeed never cease. We keep discovering more! Thank you so much for sharing that information, Jean.
I’m so touched by the story of the little boy playing the piano. So often I feel like this little boy, wanting to play a grand piano in grand style, but just barely getting Twinkle Twinkle Little Star out with two fingers. What an image to see God enveloping me and filling in the rest of the grand song with his playing along with me. Thank you…
Just this morning in Jesus Always by Sarah Young I read this impression she received from God: “Do what you can, and leave the rest to Me. . . Your relationship with Me is collaborative; you and I working together. Look to Me for help and guidance, doing whatever you can and trusting Me to do what you cannot do.” What a gracious Father we have! Thank you so much for stopping by, Donna, and taking time to comment.
Again, what an encouraging picture of God with us. Thank you too!
A beautiful post! How wonderful to know he sings over and with my attempts to worship Him is awesome indeed. And the video is precious! I had never seen it before.
That statement from Zephaniah impacts me with wonder every time I come across it. I’ve heard God’s Song over us compared to a parent singing a lullaby over a child, bringing calm and peace to the little one. Such a comforting image to that small child that still reside within each of us! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I had never seen it before either until it popped up during research for this post. I love it too!
Oh Nancy, this blog is just so beautiful! It meant so much to me. I especially love the story and the video you shared. I can just see me in life plunking along with my simple song, and then God bending over to add his masterful notes to make it all a stunning masterpiece. Oh, may I allow Him to do that in my life! Thank you for such a very encouraging post!
I’m delighted you found encouragement here, Patty. Your “music” is augmented by your relationship with Adam, the way you care for him, love and appreciate him. In fact, I can hear your lovely song here, all the way from where you live, via your wonderful posts!
Ah, what a sweet thought. Thank you, Nancy. ♥️♥️
I love how you name sounds of nature – God-song. I was watching a film about whales last night. Their clicks, whistles, moans, and growls do indeed sound like God-song.
Thank you, Laurie. I’m old enough to remember when underwater whale song was first recorded in the early 1970s. It did sound other-worldly, but I didn’t realize such offerings might be God-Songs!
I love how you translated God the Father as the maestro who “enveloped” the boy where He was! I always liked that commercial – I love it now! Outside my window, the birds are singing God’s songs right now! Beautiful post Nancy! ~ Maryleigh
Along with the God Sons outside your window, we had a blue jay crying loudly from our deck rail yesterday afternoon–a call to worship, perhaps?! Thank you, Maryleigh for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
This is a big part of our songwriting philosophy. Music is something God has given us to use to worship Him, and I love the ideas shared about this going beyond music and lyrics.
Thank you Panoplia Worship! Music has been my favorite way to worship for decades, but you are right: God has given us many other means of worship as well. I pray God’s blessing upon your ministry!
Having a great time reading through your posts Nancy, thank you 🙂
Thank YOU, Andrew. Appreciate the encouragement!