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August 2010:
Music and Local Musicians by Matthew Coad Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting (Psalm 147:1). Here, the Psalmist exhorts us to follow his example and praise the Lord. He then tells us why we ought to praise the Lord. It is good, he says, to sing praises to our God. Who is like our God, who has created the universe and all things in it by His Word? Who is like our God, who sustains all living things? Who is like our God, who directs all events for His glory and for His people's good? Who is like our God, who holds all power and authority in His mighty hand? It is pleasant, says the Psalmist, to sing praises to our God. When we admire someone or something, we want to express our admiration to others; we want others to be able to appreciate what we admire. Thus, when we are in awe of the majesty, the power, the glory, and the goodness of the Lord, it is indeed pleasant to sing out His praises. A song of praise, the Psalmist continues, is fitting. What could be more fitting, when we consider all that the Lord has done for us? The Lord has given us our lives, our families, our friends, our churches, and an abundance of material blesssings. Crowning and dwarfing all this, He has sent His own Son to die for us, to take our sin on Him and to give His righteousness to us. He continues every moment to listen to our prayers and to direct every step of our lives for His glory and for our good. He continues to be present with us, to deliver us from evil. And He has given us music to enjoy and to use to bless the Lord and one another. How fitting, then, that we use all that He has given us--hearts, lungs, minds, voices, and music--in a song of praise to our God. Sing praise to our God and Father, to our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, and to His ever-present Spirit! |
