THE MUSIC OF SOUNDS by Jeanne Gowen Dennis
Sing to the Lord all the earth. (Ps. 96:1)
Musical Sounds
I’ve been thinking lately about the amazing gift of sounds. The songs of birds. The tinkling of water in a stream. The whispers of wind through leaves. The crashing of waves. The music of various instruments. Voices lifted in song.
The Human Voice
Most of all, I’ve marveled at the human voice. We can hum a tune, belt out a popular song, sing an aria, cheer someone on, shout out a warning, talk in normal tones, or whisper a prayer. So many sounds from one wonderfully designed instrument.
I think of the sweet sound of a mother’s voice singing a lullaby or comforting her child. Something akin to the still, small voice of God, perhaps. My mom went to heaven last year, but I can still hear her voice. One of the last things we did together was to sing one of her favorite hymns.
It seems countless times the Bible tells us to sing to the Lord and praise His name. And doesn’t it fill you with joy to do just that? It does me. Our choir plans to sing Handel’s “Halleluiah Chorus” this Christmas. Every time I hear or sing that majestic piece of music, my heart soars heavenward. No wonder people stand when they hear it.
The Music of Language
Great writers make music with words. I often stop to savor a well-written phrase as I would a luscious peach. Some have a natural gift, but most writers have to work hard to reach that level of skill in their craft. And they really appreciate it when readers write to encourage them. You might say readers’ kind words are “music” to an author’s ears.
Our speaking voices hold music in them too. I’ve always had a fascination for languages and wanted to speak several. I’m working on my third and fourth right now – not very successfully, I’m afraid. But as I’ve studied foreign languages, I’ve been astounded at the different sounds the human voice can make – including drumbeats, chirps, whistles, twitters, and various vibrations. Among other things, language sets us apart from the animals. Yet each language has a rhythm and beauty all its own.
Heavenly Music
When God made humankind in His image, he made us to praise Him with our voices, both in song and words. Just think of the music that will rise to the throne of God when every people, tongue, tribe, and nation worships Him together in heaven! Rather than a cacophony of widely different tongues, I believe we will hear every language blended together into the perfect harmony of praise.
At least that’s how I imagine it. For now, I’ll enjoy the music of life here on earth and lift my heart and voice to the God who made it all. I hope you’ll join me.
“Live your faith. Pass it on.” An award-winning author and songwriter, Jeanne Dennis hosts Heritage of Truth TV at https://jeannedennis.com. She is also a commissioned Colson Fellow and Centurion. Through her writing, speaking, music, and online ministry, she encourages families to live biblically in our spiritually confused culture.
