Spiritual Purposes of Music
Devotional Messages - July to December 2007
Search Strings: Choir Devotions; Musician's Devotions; Scriptural Purposes of Music; Music in the Bible
©2007 Whitney V. Myers.
This material may be reproduced for not-for-sale applications. Please include the copyright attribution.
1 July 07 - GPC Praise Team First Release - Enter His Gates
"Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving"
Words & Music by Whitney Myers based on Psalm 100:4-5
Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church Praise Team
Singers: Charlotte Bansah, Lucille Baur, Nancy Burkhart, Barbara Clark, Paul Clark, Claudio Ferreira, Dick Hoff, Heddy Hubbard, Deborah Jansen, Annabel Liebelt, Kim Mecklenburg, Ralph Mitchel, Barbara Oldroyd, Marie Parker, Mike Pratt, Laurie Riddell, Jeff Wyatt, Juliana Ziorklui
Director & Accompanist: Whitney Myers
Recorded at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 24 Jun 07 (time: 43 seconds).
The sheet music ("pew" edition and "accompaniment" edition) and MP3 music files may be downloaded from the www.whitneytunes.com website.
8 July 07- The Glory of God Fills the Temple
"And when the priests came forth from the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to divisions), and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, 'He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,' then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God." -- 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 NASB
Consider, what is the importance of singing "in unison" "with one voice"? How is unity of purpose and presentation achieved not only in notes and sound, but also in mind and thought?
14 July 07 - "Create in Me" - GPC Praise Team Release 2
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Thy presence, and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit." -- Psalm 51:10-12
"Create in Me"
Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church Praise Team
Words & Music by Whitney V. Myers based on Psalm 51:10-12
Piano: Whitney Myers; Bass: Claudio Ferreira; Guitar: Ralph Mitchel
Recorded at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 25 February 07 (1 min 29 sec). This piece is a sung prayer of confession and also works as a choral introit.
The sheet music ("pew" edition and "accompaniment" edition) and MP3 music files may be downloaded from the www.whitneytunes.com website.
28 July 07 - Sing Praise as Long as We Live
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will sing praise as long as I live, and in your name name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."
-- Psalm 63:1-5
Consider - Like the psalmist, let us use the primary instruments God has given us - our voices - to praise him as long as we live.
12 Aug 07 - Psalm 5:11-12
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” – Psalm 5:11-12 (NIV)
6 Sept 07 - Sing-Along Devotion - "Lead Me, Lord"
For this sing-along devotion, you will need the free Adobe Reader to download the sheet music, and the ability play a short MP3 file on your computer. If you have a low-speed Internet connection, you may want download the sheet music and download and pause the sound track file before beginning the devotion.
Psalm 5:8 (NIV):
“Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.”
Psalm 4:8 (RSV):
"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety."
Consider:
How is God leading you in righteousness? How is God making you to dwell in safety? In what way do you need God to make your way straight today?
Prayer:
1) Click on this link, and open in a new window -- "Lead Me, Lord" sheet music.
2) Click on this link, open in a new window, and start playing -- "Lead Me, Lord" sound track.
3) Click back on the sheet music window so you can see the music, and SING ALONG as the soundtrack plays. SATB pitches are given in the last measure of the introduction.
Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness:
make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
that makest me dwell in safety.
The devotion text, sheet music, and soundtrack also can be downloaded from the www.whitneytunes.com website.
9 Sept 07 - Psalm 7:17
"I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." -- Psalm 7:17 (NAS)
This is the Psalmist's vow to praise. Many prayers in the psalms include such vows in anticipation of the expected answer to prayer. The Israelites believed that praise should follow deliverance as surely as prayer springs from need - if God is to be truly honored. (Ref: NIV
Study Bible note on Ps 7:17)
Consider: What is your need this week? Will you vow to praise God in anticipation of his answer to your need?
16 Sept 07 - Essence of Worship - Psalm 16:11
“Thou will make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand are pleasures forever." -- Psalm 16:11 (NAS)
Consider -- "In Thy presence is fullness of joy." Isn't this the essence of worship?
* Coming together with other believers and worshipers
* Praising God
* Inviting God, and experiencing his presence
* Joyfully directing our praise and thanksgiving to God (God-focused worship)
* Sharing with each other our joy over what God is doing in our lives
"O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation." -- Psalm 95:1
"Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of His hand." -- Psalm 95:6-7.
30 Sept 07 - Psalm 96:1-6
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary."
-- Psalm 96:1-6
Consider: How does the music we choose to sing help to "proclaim his (God's) salvation day after day"?
7 Oct 07 - Creation Sings
“Sing for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel." -- Isaiah 44:23 (NIV)
"Shout for joy, O heavens: rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." -- Isaiah 49:13 (NIV)
All nature is called on to join in the praise. In the beauty of this autumn season, look and listen how the creation sings and praises God. What have you seen or heard in nature that has inspired you to praise God?
14 Oct 07 - You Are My Hiding Place
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." -- Psalm 32:7 (NIV)
"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." -- Psalm 119:114 (KJV)
Consider -- Because of God's help, we are surrounded, protected, and encouraged by songs of deliverance and by people celebrating God's deliverance. Life is secure only with God. (Ref: NIV Study Bible notes)
28 Oct 07 - Psalm 30:4-5
"Sing to the Lord, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning."
-- Psalm 30:4-5
The psalmist calls us as gathered worshipers to take up the praise of God, and to thank him. We can thank him that his favor does last a lifetime. Weeping "may last for the night" means "come in at evening to lodge." The image is the same as a guest staying only one night. It is temporary. We can thank God and sing his praise because a shout of joy does come in the morning, and our joy in the Lord is permanent. (Ref: NIV Study Bible)
4 Nov 07 - Psalm 92:1-4
"It is good to say, 'Thank you' to the Lord,
to sing praises to the God who is above all gods.
Every morning tell him, 'Thank you for your kindness,'
and every evening rejoice in his faithfulness.
Sing his praises, accompanied by music from the harp and lute and lyre.
You have done so much for me, O Lord.
No wonder I am glad! I sing for joy."
-- Psalm 92:1-4 (TLB)
Consider -- For what can you say, "Thank you to God" for today? How has God been kind to you? What has God done for you? Think on these things and be joyful. Sing His praise. Yes, sing His praise!
18 Nov 07 - Psalm 119:171-172
"Let my lips utter praise,
for Thou dost teach me Thy statutes.
Let my tongue sing of Thy word,
for all Thy commandments are righteousness."
-- Psalm 119:171-172 (NASB)
Consider -- Think for a moment and recall some of great musical works, hymns, and praise songs that are God's word set to music - for example, Handel's "Messiah," or "The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want" (Psalm 23), or the Michael W. Smith & Amy Grant song, "Thy Word" (Psalm 119:105). Give God thanks that as musicians we have wonderful opportunities to praise God and and to proclaim God's word to others through song.
9 Dec 07 - Revelation 5:11-14 - Heavenly Praise
"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:
'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and glory and power, for ever and ever!'
The four living creatures said, 'Amen', and the elders fell down and worshiped."
-- Revelation 5:11-14 (NIV)
Application: Imagine for a moment a picture of heaven, and that you are there, and that you are a part of the worshiping and singing multitude. Do you spend time each day in worship and praise? It will change your whole day as his love and his peace take hold in your being. (Ref: Encounter with God, Scripture Union, 2003).
©2007 Whitney V. Myers.
This material may be reproduced for not-for-sale applications. Please include the copyright attribution.