Teaching By Song

by H. Brindle, Crossford | Category: General | Mar 1975

Among the many things that compete for a share of our attention and

time in today's world, the keeping of divine truth n mind and heart is one of the most important. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another with' psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God" (Col. 3:16). This is the road to success although progress along it may be slow.

The mighty apostles and elders of the early churches saw the pattern of the Faith set; and the word of Christ was displayed and taught by them in speech and letter in the power of the Holy Spirit. Alongside went the singing of those same precious truths by the saints. As they repeated their psalms and hymns and spiritual songs they were effectively teaching themselves; so the word stayed with them. Perhaps we could say they were taking a leaf out of David's book.

David came with his shepherd heart to fill Israel's throne. "He fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands" (Ps. 78:72). How well he knew them; their changing moods; elation in victory; crushing despondency in defeat. They desired to be faithful to the Lord, but this would be for a short time only, to be followed quickly by forgetfulness leading to idolatry and sin. Forgetfulness-how easy to forget! How then could David hope for success? Whither Israel, indeed!

David had his own problems to face and glad he was of the comfort and help of the Lord. In quiet moments he recorded his thoughts in words that were divinely inspired: "The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want". Yes, that was true! "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul". David rested in this warm relationship and was reassured. He wanted his people to share his experience. He wanted to help them to find their joy in the Lord. He desired to administer His rule throughout a joyful and contented nation, but how? Here lay his heart's ambition and, surprisingly, the answer to his problem was there at his fingertips. His happy psalms were dressed in the sweet music of his tuneful harp and then presented to Israel. Those God-breathed phrases were replete with heavenly truths for his time-for all time! The deeply moving experiences of his life, whether joyful or sad, shone in the words he wrote. Did the people respond?

When he erected the tent for the Lord to dwell in and when the ark of God rested there, David entrusted Asaph with the Service of Song. Confidence in Asaph and his helpers was not misplaced and soon the infectious music spread around. Over the years, manuscripts old and new were given into the hands of the chief musician. Aged ones from Moses-real treasures; some from the king; a few from Asaph's own hand; some even from those door-keeping sons of Korah and others beside. What a wonderful variety with which to make the precincts of that humble tent reverberate with the sound of melodious praise: loud and clear for the new moon (Psa. 81); reverent and solemn for the Sabbath (Psa. 92); rich with appreciation of God's dwelling-place (Psa. 84 and 122); full with thanks for victory-the order of the day when David was king (Psa. 124); earnest with prayer in days of trouble (Psa. 80); heartfelt and joyful, as Psa. 89:1 5 says, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound". Truly, divine statutes were their songs (Ps. 119:54, 172).

David's ambition was realised and his joy complete. Through his integrity of heart and his skilfulness of hand Israel truly responded and gained spiritual stature. This is to his credit for ever.

Thoughts expressed in the Psalms often engage the minds of God's

people. The wealth of teaching in them is infinite and relevant to Christian experience today. The serenity associated with the throne of God, revealed in many of the Psalms, contrasts sharply with the restlessness of this world. The joy of the Lord also is echoed to us down the centuries. Hymns and spiritual songs also convey vividly to our hearts uplifting thoughts of God and His Son and help us to learn and re-learn the precious divine truths cherished for so long. These have been the delight of godly worshippers in the past and they delight the heart of God also. As we sing the praises of our glorious Saviour the very essence of gladness can be ours.

H. Brindle, Crossford | Mar 1975
General