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.
Ephesians 5:14 records what is likely a small part of a first-century hymn: “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” The formulaic introduction (“Wherefore he saith”) and the metrical triplet indicate that this is indeed a segment of a song. The sentence “Christ shall give thee light” is translated “Christ will shine on you” by the fine New American Standard Bible. This translation directs our attention to Jesus as “the Dayspring from on high” Who has “visited us” (Luke 1:78) and made “His face shine upon” us (Numbers 6:25). A contemporary song that celebrates this manifestation of Jesus’ glory is “Shine, Jesus, Shine.” We will listen to a rendition by Maranatha! Music. An older hymn that deals with this theme is “Shine Thou Upon Us.” We have included a version by Covenant Grace Media.