Key Scripture Ephesians 5:18-20

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Relevance

"HALLELUJAH" is a widely popular song from 1984 written by singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. I think we've all heard it, as it has been covered by many artists and amateurs alike. 

The first line interested me: "I heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord."

I know it's only a cryptic worldly song, but whether Cohen realised it or not, there is a secret chord that pleases the Lord. What is it? 

We’ll go into that shortly! 

As a matter of Interest, the word Hallelujah (or Alleluia in the King James Version) is only mentioned in Revelation 19, almost at the end of biblical history! All four mentions sit prominently between the fall of Babylon the Harlot, which tormented God's people for millennia. (Rev 17 & 18), and the glorious return of our Saviour to sort out the problems. (Rev 19). 

There is a harmonious voice in all creation, powerful and expressive.  For that reason, music is a language understood by every person alive.

Can you imagine living a life without music? How could you have a Greek wedding without a Bouzouki?  How about watching a couple waltz or Foxtrot to no music? Wouldn’t that be funny?

What about disco-dancing to no band or DJ, just movement? Or speaking old hymns in Church to no melody? 

Venture anywhere in the world and you will always find the indispensable sound of music. And for a multitude of reasons, Gospel music is also indispensable. Gospel music is different to other music. Within it is good news, joy and hope! 

Here is a short true story of a young Christian father's experience with 'other' music. 

 “My children love to sing and dance. Often after dinner, we’ll goof around, turn up the tunes, and sing songs. No, not like the von Trapp family—but we have sung “doe, a deer, a female deer” from The Sound of Music more than once…. One evening, I began singing “A Whole New World” from Disney’s Aladdin. I loved the melody as a child, but while teaching it to my children, i quickly realized something about the lyrics—I didn’t agree with them. In particular, this line bothered me: “no one to tell us no or where to go.”I did not want my children being influenced by those horrible lyrics, and I certainly didn’t want my children saying that to me.”

Music is highly influential. But the trouble is, we don’t recognise how subtly it gets into our minds and hearts. The difference with gospel music is that no true gospel song will contain lyrics that conflict with God’s Word.  We can have faith that our subconscious won't absorb any evil from the lyrics or the music. 

Let's look at one of God's greatest singing groups—birds.(Not the 60s band The Byrds). Many birds sound magnificent. They rise early in the morning and sing their songs to cheer us up and put us in a state of melody at the beginning of our day. All of them have tunes designed by God, but some just seem to blend with our spirit. 

However, we no longer hear birds. Rarely do we open the windows of a morning, and we miss out. Instead, we put on the morning news, which makes us focus on politics, fear, and loss. It aggravates our spirit and is the opposite of what God designed us for. 

Humorously, with all the melodious animal and bird music in the world, Christians are called sheep, the most unmelodious animal on earth! Psalm 100:3 ….we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. And yet there is a song in the heart of every lamb or sheep that is loved & cared for. 

Here are some good reasons we should all listen to gospel music. (From www.liquorice.fm)

• It’s practical. Like many songs, gospel music acknowledges the frustrations of daily life but offers renewed hope, energy, and passion for life. Godly answers!

• Nothing sticks in our heads like music. Wouldn’t you rather have clean and wholesome lyrics stuck in your head instead of ungodly ones? And gospel music flips your mood to positive.

• It is family-friendly. Gospel music transcends boundaries. A child and an adult will both enjoy it. It also aligns with Christian moral values, instilling forgiveness and respect. 

• It has many styles. Slow church organ, Christian rock, blues, reggae, hip-hop, heavy metal, etc. There is something for all, and people have been saved through them all.  

• Feeds the soul and renews our mind. Experts say listening to gospel music is like receiving an inspirational sound bath. It can pull us out of depression, heal emotional wounds, and help conquer our fears. It promotes faith and a closer walk with God and improves mental health.

A study examined listening to religious music and mental health in later life. The results were amazing: They suggest that the frequency of listening to gospel music is associated with a decrease in death anxiety, and increases in life satisfaction, self-esteem, and a sense of control of life. (Four things Satan uses to defeat us.)

So where is the Secret Chord? 

I believe the secret chord is found in the word “Hallelujah”, and praise out of an earnest heart.

Hallelujah or alleluia = praise ye, Yah (or Yahweh)

“Praise ye, Yah” was King David’s secret to his wonderfully close relationship with his Heavenly Father. Despite everything David endured—his stress, his questioning of God, and his many heart-wrenching moments —he praised Yah!

Some points from our key scripture. 

1.     "Speaking to yourselves" is self-talk. Think about that. 

2.     You will find that depression cannot get a grip on a heart full of praise.

3.     We should praise the ceiling off in our trials and hard times, as it is the power of heaven.

4.     Praise is for seven days per week, not just on church days.

Christians are both designed and called to worship: we are called to the secret chord. We’ve been created to worship, and worship is the music of God.  We are moulded in the image of our Father, who is surrounded by the music of Heaven.  

All heaven sings songs of hallelujah to the Lord, and so should we! 

When we do this consistently, most of our problems disappear.

Praise the Lord and amen.

Prayer

Wonderful Father, thank you for how praise makes our hearts feel. We can't help praising you. Please help us live a continual life of Praise Yah. Hallelujah!

Photo by Everett Pachmann