Spiritual songs teach and admonish

Dear friend

I see music as one of the most effective ways of expressing thoughts, impressions and feelings. It has a language of its own. Musical notation even looks like another form of language. It certainly is a way of communicating. Alone, music can create images in our minds and stir emotions in our heart; at least as much as the written or spoken word. Music can affect us deeply, such as by lightening our mood, getting us to feel patriotic, or bringing memories flooding back to us. When combined with suitable lyrics, good music can inspire social movements, cause introspective reflection, or even be the catalyst for a marriage proposal.

For a few years I've felt like I don't sufficiently appreciate the potential power of spiritual music as a way to worship more profoundly, or to receive divine instruction - tied in with greater emotion to make it stick. Some idea of the value of music to the Christian life is found in this verse from the New Testament, Colossians 3:16.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Have you ever thought of gospel-inspired music as a teaching tool or an admonishing adage? The Apostle Paul is instructing us about how psalms, hymns and other religious music help us to learn and live the gospel.

Even some of the words associated with music are applicable to a gospel context, such as harmony and unison. I feel a desire to make more use of good music to create an atmosphere that encourages spirituality, harmony and peace.

What a wonderful gift to the world music is. I hope we can enjoy good music so that God's word will "dwell in you richly in all wisdom" - a lovely thought. I pray we not only have a prayer in our heart, but also a good song, "singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Samuel.