Why We Should be Grateful for God's Gift of Music
Before we talk about Gratitude, the giving of Thanks, or any other similar word, we must be sure that we know what we’re talking about. Here is a definition that includes the essential element to Thankfulness. “In general terms, gratitude stems from the recognition that something good happened to you, accompanied by an appraisal that someone, whether another individual or an impersonal source, such as nature or a divine entity, was responsible for it,” explain researchers Lúzie Fofonka Cunha, Lucia Campos Pellanda, and Caroline Tozzi Reppold in a 2019 article published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.1
This definition includes an OBJECT of gratitude, a person or impersonal source. Many of the other definitions that I encountered only used such words as “feeling”, “emotion”, or a vague “response”, but to no-one in particular. In simplest terms, Gratitude is an acknowledgement that someone has done something good for you. It may or may not be accompanied by a positive emotion. In Romans 12:20, 21, the Bible tells Christians, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” If someone does something good for you and he is your enemy, your emotional response may not be positive, but you must, nevertheless, be grateful.
Ultimately, thanksgiving /gratitude must be given to God, because He is, after all, the Creator of all things good. You may also recognize the vehicles through which He transfers all that goodness – family, friends, community, etc.
Having said that, we can begin the body of the blog.
God has given humanity a profound and melodic expression of His love – music. From the very beginning, the Bible speaks of God creating the world through His spoken word. In Genesis, we read, "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light" (Genesis 1:3, NIV). God's creative power is inherently linked to sound, as in His voice, and expression, the way it is put together. Music, as a harmonious arrangement of sounds, mirrors the divine harmony present in the very fabric of creation. Some anthropologists suggest that people sang before they used non-tonal speech. Even now, the Jewish rabbis sing the scripture during worship services. Perhaps God sang His creation commands.
In Genesis 4:21 we learn about the first musician. The scripture says “ His (Jabal’s) brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.” I can imagine him sitting around, fiddling (pun intended) with an archer’s bow, twanging the string, making it longer and shorter and experimenting with the sounds it made. I can also imagine him listening to the wind in some broken reeds making different sounds and combining them into a crude pan pipe. By doing such things, he was also demonstrating that music is a science as well as an art. He may have inadvertently discovered the Overtone Series, a mathematical formula embedded in the way a string behaves when it is struck or plucked. When a string vibrates, it sets up a wave along its entire length. It also sets up two waves at exactly half its length; three waves along exactly one third of its length; four waves at one fourth its length, etc.
Music can be a way through which we express our adoration and reverence for the Almighty. The Bible has many references to music as a means of praise and worship. One of my favorites is in Psalm 150:3-5, where David declares, "Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals." While investigating the instruments in this Psalm, I discovered that the word translated as “lyre” could also be a type of bagpipe. The word doesn’t refer to the sound the instrument makes, but, rather to its shape.
Beyond its role in formal worship, music has the power to stir our emotions and uplift our spirits. In times of joy, we may find ourselves singing praises to God, and in moments of sorrow, soothing melodies can bring comfort. The Christian journey is often accompanied by trials and tribulations, and music becomes a source of solace, reminding us of God's unwavering presence and love.
A number of times, the Bible highlights the transformative power of music. In 1 Samuel 16:23 (NIV), we learn that David played the lyre for Saul, and the distressing spirit that troubled Saul departed. Elisha, the prophet, called for a musician to create an atmosphere for God to work miracles (2 Kings 3:15). These biblical narratives underscore the spiritual potency embedded in the harmonious tones that resonate with the Creator's design.
Music transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, making it a powerful tool for spreading the message of Christ. Contemporary Christian music, hymns, and gospel songs have the ability to touch the hearts of individuals who may not be receptive to traditional forms of evangelism. Through the universal language of melody, we can share the redemptive story of Jesus Christ, inviting others to experience the transformative power of His love.
Everyone, not just Christians, are called to be grateful for the divine gift of music. It is not merely an art form but a profound expression of our connection with the Creator. Through music, we can praise and worship God, find emotional and spiritual solace, and contribute to the diversity that reflects the beauty of His creation. Let us, therefore, approach the melodies of life with gratitude, recognizing the symphony that resonates with the heart of our loving God.
Salt Cellar Creations understands the beauty and power that music can convey and has a growing library of original works and arrangements, secular and Christian, all done for the glory of God (soli Deo gloria). Explore the offerings HERE.
SCC can also compose an original piece for you or do a custom arrangement for you. There are two ways that this can be done; one is much more affordable than the other. And SCC is always looking for ideas of pieces to arrange or suggestions for original pieces.
We have sold music not only in the US but in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and New Zealand. Please visit the WEBSITE or CONTACT US to let us know what we can do for you!