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 