Week 6

I love music. Most of my best memories involve music in some form and I have always gravitated towards using songs to express and influence my thoughts and emotions. For me, words sometimes seem to fall short, but when paired with music they convey so much more. In my teen years, I was pretty sure mixed tapes (and later CD’s) were the best things ever invented. I would spend countless hours making mixes for myself and others for every occasion and mood. My shy, non-confrontational, adolescent self found it much easier to connect with others through music. I never envisioned one day being able to stream any song I could possibly think of, at any moment, anywhere. To be honest, as convenient and wonderful as the accessibility now is, I truly miss the effort and thought involved in making or receiving the gift of a mixed tape.

When I think about praise, my mind automatically goes to worship through song, even though I know praise can take many forms. The Psalms have always been among my favorite scriptures. There are many reasons for this, but one of the greatest is the raw emotion expressed in such eloquent prose which lends itself so very well to music. “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you…” Ps. 42. “I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from you, maker of heaven and earth…” Ps 121. As I read through the Psalms I delight in seeing so many of the words from hymns I have sung and loved since I was a child. Beautiful words, inspired by God, written in thanksgiving, anguish, supplication, and praise. Words that are written on my heart. Words that are life-giving, that allow me to feel connected to people who lived centuries ago and that never fail me.

In Psalm 103, David expresses an outpouring of praise, which continues on for the next several chapters. Unlike many of his other Psalms, this one is focused purely on praise rather than alternating with requests or laments. And while it is both good and necessary to approach our Father with all of those things, how often do we simply come before him in praise, and praise alone? If you’re like me, the answer is, not often enough. I find it natural to do so when I sing, especially in corporate worship, but when I pray or spend time alone with Him, the primary focus is seldom just praise. I usually struggle to come up with words or phrases on my own that feel BIG enough to encapsulate how incredible He truly is and the magnitude of what He’s done. And it’s far too easy to let supplication and repentance take center stage in my prayers. The focus shifts off of God and back onto me so easily. This is why praying scripture, like the Psalms, can be so beneficial; it keeps our focus where it needs to be and gives us words to use when we can’t find our own.

14-yr-old me recognized the value in having someone invest time and thought into a tape full of words and music picked out specifically for me. It made me feel special, valued and SEEN. Our Father is so much more deserving of our time, effort and intentionality. So much more worthy of our words, with or without music, used to glorify Him. God doesn’t need our praise; He desires it. He wants to hear that we love Him, and that we recognize how worthy He is of honor and adoration. Whether through song, prayer or the reading of scripture, I encourage you to invest in praising God. Not only will He be glorified, but your heart will be changed as well.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name!” Psalms 103:1.