Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
–Psalm 33:1-3
Just as athletic activity is stimulus for the body, music is exercise for the brain.
Whether you simply listen to it or actually play an instrument, music engages your mind like few other things.
Research at John Hopkins University shows that music improves memory and mental alertness and can do a better job than a sleeping pill at helping you go to sleep and more thoroughly rest. Music lowers anxiety, blood pressure, and even the sensation of pain. It improves our mood. So it makes sense that God’s desire for us to make a joyful noise in His name is for our benefit too.
There are over 50 commands in the Bible to make music.
Perhaps music making gets so much attention because it sets the example for what heart all the other commands should have. Songs of praise can’t be done begrudgingly. Creating a “new song” takes heart.
Like the great God-lover David, we can create our own raw stories of praise and thanks. We have tales to tell of God’s goodness, God’s provision, God’s saving, and gift-giving. Even if our songs are no more than a joyful noise to others, our heart put to music is beautiful to God, and so good for us!
Prayer
(Sing to your own tune.) Beautiful Lord, Thank You for Your goodness all through my life. I praise You for being my provider, my gift-giver, my daily savior. I praise You and pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection
How often do I lift my voice in honest praise to God? If I were to write an impromptu song to God, what topics from my life might I include?