The Weatherman’s Hymn—There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
The Contractor’s Hymn—The Church’s One Foundation
The Tailor’s Hymn—Holy, Holy, Holy
The Politician’s Hymn—Standing on the Promises
The Optometrist’s Hymn—Open My Eyes That I May See
The IRS Agent’s Hymn—I Surrender All
The Electrician’s Hymn—I Saw the Light
The Shopper’s Hymn—Sweet Bye and Bye
The Realtor’s Hymn—I’ve Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop
The Doctor’s Hymn—The Great Physician
While this list is humorously tongue-in-cheek, the reality is that the music of the faith has been more than just a vehicle of worship and adoration; it has been a great source of instruction, encouragement, comfort, and hope from the beginning, first to the Jews and then to the church. From the songs of Moses, to the Psalms, to the Magnificat, to the traditional hymns, to modern praise choruses, they all speak timeless truths, and there is literally something that speaks to everyone.
"Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart ..." (Ephesians 5:19, ESV).
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16, ESV).
"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being" (Psalm 104:33, ESV).
Music adds so much to life, and it's all built upon just seven notes (A, B, C, D, E, F, G).
We often think a music scale has eight notes (the number of notes in an octave), but the eighth is only a repeat of the first. For example, in the common scale of C-major, the scale begins with C (or Doh) and ascends to D, E, F, G, A, B, and then, once again, to C. Having heard the scale so often beginning with C and ending with C, it makes us very uncomfortable to hear it with just seven notes. Listen ...
(Now demonstrate by singing the scale without the final Doh: "Doh, Ray, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti …" If you're not comfortable singing, have your pianist play the seven notes in the scale, leaving the last C, or Doh, unplayed.)
Can you feel the tension hanging in the air?
(If you want to create more tension, do it again. But it is important to leave it unresolved as you continue. Make them wait for the resolution, but not for too long.)
Life is full of tension, uncomfortable moments, unanswered questions, and unresolved conflicts. We are living our lives very much in need of that eighth note.
(Now sing the scale including that eighth note, Doh, or have the pianist play it: "Doh, Ray, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Doh." )
Doesn't that feel better? Ahhhh!
God has given us a means of resolution to all the stresses of life through our Lord Jesus Christ. He doesn't promise to solve all problems, answer all questions, or resolve all conflicts in this life. Yet, if we will listen in the Spirit, we can always turn to Him and hear that eighth note, knowing that a day is coming when we shall know fully as we are fully known. Every incomplete thing will be fulfilled; all things will be resolved.
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
News Flash: Mice can sing!
Not just the ultrasonic serenade that the rodents use to attract a mate. They can actually sing together in a group:
Scientists at Tulane University in New Orleans have discovered that when two male mice were housed together, they tune their pitch. Yes, like a choir. A teeny choir of mice.
The study is surprising, notes the Telegraph, because singing in pitch is a trait thought to be found only in the Beach Boys, rather, "humans, bats and a handful of bird and large-mammal species." Yes, we're picturing a Disney movie, too.
Dr. Erich Jarvis, a neurobiologist who oversaw the study, told the Telegraph, "We are claiming that mice have limited versions of the brain and behavior traits for vocal learning that are found in humans for learning speech and in birds for learning song." He added that ability in mice to sing was not as advanced as in humans. (Alas, no mouse version of Justin Bieber just yet.)
God's creation is musical. Job 38:7 speaks of the morning stars singing together at creation. The birds have a song, as do the whales. And just as the mice tune up with one another, so members of the church are to live and to sing in unity.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16).
We could learn a lot from the singing mice.