Joy & Music
"The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me
is to express the same delight in God
which made David dance."
– CS Lewis
is to express the same delight in God
which made David dance."
– CS Lewis
The Passages: Psalms 131-135 and Proverbs 27, John 17:11, 2 Timothy 1:12
It is Saturday, and that means music... Prayers, affirmations of faith and Scriptures set to music reach a unique place in our souls, extending us toward God – the source of our joy. I shared one encouraging music link the other morning (Nashville studio singers). Here are a few other songs sent my way recently.
John Leonard introduced me to the following hymn based on 2 Tim. 1:12 – I Know Whom I Have Believed. John reminded me that the same word, “keep/protect” that is found in that passage [“For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.”] is prayed by Jesus in John 17:11 for his followers: [I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect (keep) them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.] Knowing that Jesus is praying even now for our strong protection in his name invites joy.
John Leonard introduced me to the following hymn based on 2 Tim. 1:12 – I Know Whom I Have Believed. John reminded me that the same word, “keep/protect” that is found in that passage [“For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.”] is prayed by Jesus in John 17:11 for his followers: [I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect (keep) them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.] Knowing that Jesus is praying even now for our strong protection in his name invites joy.
The Prayer
John Leonard also reflected on Psalm 40:1-2, 4: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined unto me and heard my cry. He brought me up out an horrible pit… and set my feet upon a rock; he established my goings. Blessed is the one who maketh the Lord their trust.” Reminding him of the line from “What a Friend we Have in Jesus”: O, what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Let Aretha Franklin bring it home for you in the linked video.
The Practice – pray your playlist
Maybe instead of 30 minutes of reading up on the latest on the virus, treat yourself to 30 minutes of worship music – this is where YouTube can really be a beauty. To start you out, here is a Kirk Franklin song sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, “My Life is In Your Hands”, suggested by Chuck Gardner, who thought it is a great song for this time in everybody’s life.
Let’s continue to sing our prayers and God’s promises with joy,
Laurie
PS. Sometimes I search videos using a psalm I’ve read on the day – here is a Shane & Shane rendition of Psalm 130 discovered yesterday – I’ve been listening on repeat.
Let’s continue to sing our prayers and God’s promises with joy,
Laurie
PS. Sometimes I search videos using a psalm I’ve read on the day – here is a Shane & Shane rendition of Psalm 130 discovered yesterday – I’ve been listening on repeat.
I will wait for you, I will wait for you
Through the storm and through the night
I will wait for you, surely wait for you
For your love is my delight.
Through the storm and through the night
I will wait for you, surely wait for you
For your love is my delight.