Good morning,
Hymn books are a tremendous way of singing praises and adoration to God. We have been blessed by hymn writers such as Fanny Crosby, Philip Bliss, Isaac Watts, John Newton, Martin Luther, Charles Wesley, and Ira Sankey.
However, before there were hymn books, there was the Bible. The Jewish religious leaders taught and committed to memory the Book of Psalms. The Psalms were put to music to help the people memorize the passages. As the Israelites would come to the Temple three times each year, they would be singing the Psalms.
The bible gives us encouragement to sing, praise and thank God through Scriptures.
GOD’S COMMAND
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100)
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:15-17)
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. (Isaiah 51:11)
BIBLE MEMORIZATION
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)
GOD’S REFRESHING
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psalms 40:1-3)
During our midweek Bible Study we learned the melodies to several Scripture passages. We will continue to do this for the next few weeks.
Please come and join us.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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