Today’s scripture: Psalm 81 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
1 Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
2 Raise a song, sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our festal day.
4 For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
We all connect to different kinds of music. We all have our preferences. We can use music to set the tone and mood when we go into prayer, and it can be used as background when we pray and meditate. Music can also be used as our message, as our words, or as the sound and joy from our heart. It can help us move and get into the spirit and joy that God is in our lives.
I use music often in my ministry, but I try to shake things up and use various genres so I don’t get stuck in one place or on one particular form of musical expression. This is evidenced in the video below. The video is a musical rendition of Psalm 81. It is performed on a classical pipe organ. A little different from our modern world; but if you chose, allow the music to play as you meditate and pray.
As you listen or watch, you may think, “David, what were you thinking?” as you view this video. I was allowing God to move me. This reminds me of the Moog Synthesizer used in “Switched on Bach” by Wendy Carlos from 50 years ago, although this is a full pipe organ.
As you listen, close your eyes and think about the beauty of God. Think about the complexity and vastness and greatness of God, and how that translates into the love and grace God shows you. Allow the music to take you to where you need to go, even if this is different than what you are accustomed to. Maybe God has a message for you!
Thought for the day: Raise a song for God! Or silence, or a prayer…
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.