I Will Sing

June 23

Music is almost magical in its ability to transform. Lives can be turned from optimism to gloom simply by hearing the familiar strains of a song that is associated with a difficult place in one’s experience. By the same token, one’s mood may emerge from the depth of depression to joyful expectation simply by listening to the lilting strains of a lovely song that brings back the memory of a happy time.

Moralists—parents and grandparents—express concern regarding the musical choices of the young. Whether the rich tones of Frank Sinatra on ‘records’ or the driving beat of today’s rap on ‘i-phones’, the worry has been that impressionable youth would be caught in a snare of sin because of the music they enjoy.

Given the fact that the evil one was the chief musician of heaven before his fall from grace, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that one of his favorite weapons to use against the young would be that which he has wielded with great success both in heaven and upon earth. How like him to employ something as seemingly innocent as music to undo the morals and the character and the faith of young believers. How like him to take something the Lord meant for His worship and praise and turn it to our detriment.

But there is an anecdote for the virus of reprobation that might be passed to the unwary by the songs that are among their ‘i-tunes.’ It is found in the Word of the Holy One in Psalm 59:16 where David says, “I will sing of Your strength in the morning; I will sing of Your love, for You are my fortress and refuge…” He who is our fortress and refuge against the threats of corruption and war and disease, can certainly guard us from the threat of music.