Category: music

Learning to Sing

Sometimes we desperately need to sing. And perhaps we should write down a simple, faltering poem. I would suggest that you not make it public, unless told otherwise. This is just between you and your heavenly Father.

I’m told that David wrote 73 psalms.

These psalms are contextual (that is his experiences). They can be prophetic. They also declare a devotional meaning. Whatever. But one overriding truth is very present: the Holy Spirit infuses David’s words. What he writes is inspired and guided by God Himself.

That is remarkable.

This is David’s best Psalm. I strongly suspect that it was heavily influenced by the sheep, the pasture, and even the predators. I also think loneliness and isolation enabled him to write and sing with such power, and beauty.

Psalm 23 has brought comfort to millions. The sick and dying, the captive and prisoner, believer and non-believer have found profound consolation from David’s simple words.

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

A Grinding Humility

“All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”

Luke 14:11

David was the eighth and youngest son of Jesse. They lived in Bethlehem and David served his father by tending his sheep. Like Moses, David learned the skills from life as a shepherd. He wasn’t valued by his family. He lived out in the field and simply did whatever he was told.

A diversion for young David was to sit and play a lyre. It calmed the sheep, and gave himself something to break the blind-numbing boredom of watching over a flock. He also learned the sling, punching rocks at targets both near and far. He got really good at both.

These things will determine David’s role as a king, and a shepherd of the nation of Israel.

But these are humble acts which seem small at best. And yet, given time, they will grow and will become the very basic foundations of a good king. Being a shepherd and protecting the flock is exactly what God wants. He seeks out those who have His heart.

Just perhaps this is what it really means to be a pastor, an elder, or a deacon. May we look to those who love the flock, and who can throw a stone or two.

“The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.“

John Stott