Beth’s Blog – October 21, 2019
Today, I’m reflecting on Psalm 150, the final Chapter in the Book of Psalms:
“Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord”.
Biblical scholars consider Psalm 1 and Psalm 150 the introduction and the finale of the Book of Psalms. While Psalm 1 prepares readers for the pages to come, Psalm 150 creates a grand ending to the experience the readers had in their journey through the Psalms. What I find most astounding is the inclusion of dancing and musical instruments in praising God! This is the final Psalm in a large book of the Bible and the psalmist uses music and dance to praise God – trumpets, harp, lyre, timbrel, strings, pipe, clashing cymbals, and resounding cymbals!!!
Not only does Psalm 150 provide a description of what praising God looks like, but it calls us to praise God in these ways! We are called to praise God through music!! If you currently participate in musical worship at church or are thinking about joining a musical ensemble, here is proof of God’s purpose for our musical gifts and how He intended for us to use them.
Music truly is a gift from God. When I think of music theory and how perfect the system of musical understanding is, I can only think that God must have created it. As I am reminded of acoustics (the physics of sound) and how vibrations carry sound through the air to our ears, I know it is from God. The organic music and rhythms in nature are even more proof that music is God-breathed. Therefore, if you feel that tug at your heart to make music for God, even if it’s in the shower or in the car, sing like you are standing at the feet of Jesus! If you play an instrument, make every note sound as beautiful as you possibly can because God gave you that note and the gift to create it!
May God bless you in every way!
Dr. Beth Trez, St. James Music Director, saintjamesmusicdirector@gmail.com
