The Power of Music
Music is such a fundamental part of our lives. It has the power to stir us, to move us deeply, to inspire and motivate us. The range and depth of music can touch the parts of our souls that hardly anything else can reach. I can barely think of any occasion in life that cannot be enhanced by some appropriate piece of music. The rousing sounds of brass and silver. The evocative strains of violin and stringed instruments. The flutes and pipes that make us want to tap our toes. The drums and percussion instruments that awaken our senses and make our hearts beat that little bit faster.
Every movie has a soundtrack. In the old Silent Movies of the past, there was always a pianist or organist, busily playing away in the background, to create an atmosphere. Every programme on television has background music. It’s almost subliminal, but necessary to keep our attention rivetted.
All this and more are a gift from God. The world would be a poorer, duller place without. Music and accompanying singing are very much a part of worship for most believers. The sweet Psalmist of Israel, David, played the harp skilfully and penned some of the greatest songs in history. His 23rd Psalm has been sung for 3000 years. Judaism and Christianity are singing religions. Martin Luther said, “Music is a fair and lovely gift of God, which has wakened and moved me to the joy of preaching…Next after theology I give music the highest place and the greatest honour…My heart bubbles up and overflows in response to music, which has so refreshed me and delivered me from dire plagues.”
William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army was heavily criticised in some quarters for his bands with rousing melodies with a martial flavour. He said, “Music is to the soul what wind is to the ship, blowing her onwards in the direction in which she is steered…Not allowed to sing that tune or his tune? Indeed! Secular music, do you say? Belongs to the devil, does it? Well, if it did, I would plunder him of it…Every note and every strain and every harmony is divine and belongs to us.” It was Booth who was accredited with the saying, “Why should the devil have all the good music?”
I envy those with musical skill. I cannot not play a note, and sing in the key of Yale. I feel like the amateur who played, and a Master musician was asked what he thought of it. He replied, “He plays in the true spirit of Christian charity. His right hand does not know what his left hand is doing”. Some are naturally gifted and play with consummate ease. Others have had to work very hard to reach the proficiency they now have. I salute them one and all. They have brightened our lives immeasurably.
- Pastor David Goudy