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 45 is a royal wedding Psalm, celebrating the union of the king and his bride. Given the new Testament revelation of Jesus as the groom and the Church as his bride (Revelation 19:7-9; Ephesians 5:31-32), we understand that this Psalm is Messianic, prophesying of our Lord and Savior. Verse 8 says, “All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made Thee glad.” These words are the basis for the hymn “Ivory Palaces,” written by Henry Barraclough and published in 1915. I remember that this song was a favorite of Emily Hasty, a long-time and faithful pianist in our little church. We will listen to a rendition by The Mountain Anthems.