Melodic Mondays
Those of you who know me know that I love music even though I am not musical myself. I listen to good music as often as I can. It is beneficial to the brain, valuable to the vocabulary, and strengthening to the soul. Isaiah 12:2-3 is a lovely passage that includes this soaring statement of surety: “The Lord JEHOVAH [YAHWEH] is my strength and my song.” This could be translated, “God is my mountaintop and my music.” Yes, He is! Each Monday, I want to study this subject and suggest a song to listen to. Anyone reading this devotional has easy access to any song. (I am an exception because I do not go on a computer or other information device.) If you do not like my suggestion (and we all have different tastes), you can think of or search for one that speaks to you. Then, it can become a source of encouragement throughout the week.
Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise. It includes this thoughtful meditation on the relationship of God and His creation: “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man, that Thou art mindful of him?” (verses 3-4a). The beauty that we observe daily is a reflection of God’s greater beauty. Many hymns touch upon this subject, including the familiar “How Great Thou Art.” Although it was written in 1885, it did not achieve widespread usage until popularized in the 1950’s by George Beverly Shea of the Billy Graham Crusade. The original poem that prompted this song was written by a young Swedish pastor named Carl Buber. Stuart Hine used this poem as the basis for his expanded version. We will link to a version by Mr. Shea and also to a rendition by Hillsong UNITED.