Psalm 4:1
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
[1] Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress.Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! (ESV)
This is one of many Psalms that has instructions. It is to be sung with stringed instruments. I love singing. I love playing bass guitar. I am so glad that God has given to us the gift of music to use for bringing Him glory. When you think about singing songs with God's people, what kinds of songs do you like to sing? What kinds of words have meaning to you?
I love songs like "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "It Is Well With My Soul," and "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." These timeless hymns speak of how good God is even in the midst of darkest tragedy. I believe that in the backdrop of darkness God's light shines the brightest. The words of songs that impact our lives the most come from authors who have experienced terrible darkness and still found God's light in the midst.
David is a great writer of wonderful songs. In fact, as you read through the Psalms you will find certain phrases and verses that have been included in many of our current worship songs and hymns. David's life was far from perfect. He experienced pain and suffering. Some of it was caused by his own sin. Some of it was unjust treatment he received for standing up for righteousness. There is a genuineness about his experiences that we can relate to.
In the beginning of this Psalm David is asking God to hear him when he calls. He recognizes that God has faithfully answered him in the past. He appeals to the graciousness of God and asks that his prayer be heard. Imagine David singing this to the Lord. David was able to truly release his sorrow and give it to the Lord through the gift of music. We can do the same.
Do you have a favorite hymn? Maybe it is even based on one of the Psalms. Find time today to sing a song of worship to the Lord. Let the pain of your struggle go. Glorify God with music.
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