I Write the Songs

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. Psalm 40:3a (KJV)

Driving to work over the holidays, my morning rock-out sessions were probably different from most. “Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!” Music is powerful. Handel said that as he wrote the Hallelujah Chorus, he saw all heaven before him. I believed him. I navigated rush hour, one among millions doing the same, but God was there.

God wrote songs of love, grace, mercy, comfort, and wisdom—even instruction and warning—in His Word. Learning the lyrics helps us grow in the knowledge of God. But He also created music, which travels straight to the heart and carries with it the emotion of His message. Words communicate, but music moves, encourages, makes us search for God, lifts our souls, and leaves us speechless.

Three notes make up a chord. Most songs use major chords, which create anticipation and excitement. Minor chords also serve a purpose, expressing sadness or melancholy by lowering the chord’s middle note. “O Come, O Come, Immanuel,” is an example, conveying Israel’s anguish while awaiting the Messiah.

God is amazing. Not only did He write the song, He became the song. The Trinity is a chord of supernatural power. Jesus, the middle note of the Trinity, lowered Himself, dying in our place so that we could be raised with Him to sing an exciting, new song. “And He shall reign forever and ever! Hallelujah!”

Lord, you became our reason to sing. Write your song on our hearts. Keep your praise on our lips even when life rages. As we lift you up, shield us in battle, strengthen in weakness, comfort in sorrow, and be our joy every morning.

© 2013 Katherine A. Fuller