History and Song:

Singing with grace…

(Colossians 3:16)

This morning, by the fire pit, I enjoyed reading Songs of America by John Meacham (historian) & Tim McGraw (singer). It caused me to think of how the Bible can’t tell the story of God’s salvation without songs.

When Hebrew slaves found themselves free on the other side of the Sea; Moses and Mariam, with tambourines and dancing, lead the Israelites in song: “Sing to the Lord…” (Ex 15). The Psalter sings through Israel’s history from Moses (Ps 90) through the Monarchy (David), to the Babylonian Exile: “By the waters of Babylon— there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion” (Ps 137). 

As one would expect, the birth of the Christ Child comes with song: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…” (Lk 2). And so too, at the consummation where: “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb…” (Rv 15). In short, the grand story of our salvation is told as a musical joined by the heavenly choir. There’s a good chance that if you miss the music you won’t get the story. The Gospel Story can’t be told without song.