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THE POWER OF MUSIC

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 6, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 23.

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THE POWER OF MUSIC.

By J. S. Washburn

THERE is something in it that lays hold upon the human heart, and sets all its chords vibrating. How lovely must have been the human voice when there was no sin! In Zephaniah 3 we are told that God will rejoice with singing over those who have been saved and brought back to His fold. What must be the sweetness and beauty of His voice who is the Author of every lovely sound! In Heb. 2:12 we have the words of Christ, “In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee.”
There are so many admonitions about music in the Bible. The Psalms are full of music; they are hymns to be sung. The song for the Sabbath day (Psalms 92) says that it is a good thing to sing praises unto the Lord with an instrument; so do not shut up the instrument on the Sabbath day. It is a Christian duty to cultivate the musical talent that we have.
Several instances were noted of the Spirit of God working through music. Saul met a company with psaltery, pipe, harp, etc., playing and prophesying, and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he was changed into another man. 1 Samuel 10. Elisha said, “Bring me a minstrel,” and as he played before the prophet, “the hand of the Lord came upon him,” and he prophesied. 2 Kings 3:15. David played skilfully upon the harp, and the evil spirit was driven away from Saul.
See also what the Lord says to us about singing. Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16. Being filled with the Spirit, we are to sing spiritual songs unto the Lord. When our hearts are full of the Spirit of God, and we sing for Him, the Lord will bless in singing just as in speaking. We are told to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” to “play skilfully with a loud noise,” and this would apply just as well to singing. Everybody should have liberty to sing, but do not make a loud noise until you can do it skilfully. Give all your musical talent to the Lord, and ask Him to help you to play and sing correctly, and make you just what He wishes you to be.—J. S. Washburn.