Joyful Praise

The other day I was listening to my granddaughter sing. As I listened a bit I realized that she was making up the song and the tune as she sang. Some of the phrases made sense while some of them were just strings of sound. It reminded me of the time when my son would do the same, although being autistic, at a later age. I can remember doing the same. I tended to use these made-up songs to work out problems. I do not know if this is a common thing among children. I do know that music does help us learn. All I have to do is mention the ABC’s and you probably have the song going through your head. If you are my age you may remember “Grammar Rock,” short musical bits that aired on television to teach grammar. Simply stated, we learn better when music is attached to the words. A Native American friend of mine talks about learning to the beat of a drum – another rhythmic pattern of notes. Luther knew this. That is why he wrote so many hymns. With books being expensive before Gutenberg, most people could not read or could only read a little. Luther taught the scriptures and theology by song. He would often choose a tune that everyone knew and write words to it. If he wrote the tune he would make it simple and rhythmic. 

Music has always been part of the Judaeo-Christian tradition. Think of the Psalms. Many of which even mention the instruments to be used. There are also many places in the Old Testament where an event is celebrated by song. Think of Miriam’s song, the song of Moses, or the Song of Songs. Most songs are songs of praise and celebration. Other songs are of lament. It did not take Christians long to begin singing songs of Jesus. Paul quotes songs in his letters; Mary’s song is an example. Scholars debate about who actually composed and sang this song. Some claim that it was Elizabeth who first sang this song and later it was changed and attributed to Mary. Many scholars see this song as a latter composition of the church or maybe Luke himself. How could Mary, a young woman, know the future of her son and spontaneously compose a song about it? Would not Elizabeth be more able to see how God has turned things upside-down? In the end the answer may be, “All of the above.” Both Mary and Elizabeth could have sung about their pregnancies and the church could have added and changed the words to fit the new situation after the resurrection. 

However the song came about, you are called to join in – to sing a song of praise with your whole life. To sing of Jesus, and of faith. Hope and love. For God has birthed in us new life. God has filled us with joy. Here we sing, we can do no other. Join with all the saints who have sung of Jesus, of Mary, Elizabeth, and Paul and with great joy sing your song of God’s love.