Singing And Making Melody Unto The Lord

by J.O. Tidmas, Rhyl, North Wales | Category: General | Jan 1991

"Pleasant in the psalms of Israel" is the marginal reading for "the sweet psalmist of Israel" found in 2 Samuel 23:1 (RV). What a tribute to David, the shepherd boy who became king - known by the psalms attributed to him. God's goodness has caused many others to sing and make melody with their hearts to the Lord.

On the far side of the Red Sea from Egypt, Israel under Moses began to sing:

I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously: ... with the blast of Thy nostrils the waters were piled up ... Who is like unto Thee, 0 LORD. among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Ex. 15:1,8,11).

This outburst of song was occasioned by the display of God's majesty and might. This song was probably sung many times later, but never again would it mean so much to the Israelites as when they first sang it while looking down on Egypt's might lying dead on the shore of the Red Sea.

That was the voice of a mighty host; three hundred years later there were few in Israel ready to praise God for His goodness. But one such was Hannah. Distressed by her barren condition, and provoked by Peninnah, also the wife of Elkanah, Hannah was disturbed beyond measure - nothing else mattered. She was imprisoned by her obsession for a son, but it seemed to dawn upon her that God needed a man. While praying and weeping sorely she vowed:

O LORD of hosts, Lf Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Thine handmaid, but wilt give unto Thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head (1 Sam. 1:11).

Eli watched Hannah praying, but thought she was drunk. She answered graciously that she had not drunk either wine or strong drink, but had poured out her soul unto the Lord. Eli replied, "Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of Him". So Hannah "went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad".

While Hannah was concerned with her own want she knew bitterness and frustration, but when she became involved in the purposes of God her bitterness and frustration left her. In due time she gave to God what she had longed for herself - a son, so making rich melody in her heart to God (1 Sam. 2:1-10).

We read of melodious thanksgiving in the New Testament. The word translated melody (Eph. 5:19) has the meaning to twitch or to twang - such

as takes place when playing a stringed instrument, plucking the strings. Making melody in the heart to the Lord is obviously something in addition to singing. When the words reach down into the heart and quicken the singer it is as though strings are being touched, and thankfulness and deep appreciation arise making melody in the heart to the Lord. Our lips can voice words, but they can also ring with melody from the heart. What thankfulness pervades the heart when

the purpose of the death of the Son of God is revealed by the Holy Spirit. Feeding on the Word of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the things of Christ will cause the heart to vibrate to God's glory - making melody unto the Lord. Remembrance of the sufferings of Christ in association with the loaf and the cup each Lord's day brings afresh to our hearts the love of God, bringing an outflow of thanksgiving and worship.

J.O. Tidmas, Rhyl, North Wales | Jan 1991
General