The Magic of Music (Part 1)

Music opens a magical world and brings happiness to the lives of both humans and other living things. Ancient epics depict animals forgetting themselves in the magic of the flute and standing still until the end of the music. A poet describes a deer eating grass, forgetting to chew and just standing like a statue. There is a saying that even snakes enjoy music. God's Intent for Music: Hope and Deliverance We can see many times that music is created at a time of success or with a heart full of happiness or sorrow.

The Israelites crossed the Red Sea and reached the other side. Their enemies who followed them drowned in the sea. The next morning their dead bodies were on the sea shore. By seeing their victory Moses and Israelites sang music of glory, which is described in the 15th chapter of book of Exodus. When the Israelites defeated the commander of Canaan's army under the leadership of the prophet Deborah, they sang a song, which is narrated in the 5th chapter of Judges. When Saul and David defeated Philistines, Israelite women sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."

Music explores different areas. Whenever the spirit from God tormented King Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. (1 Samuel 16:23) In times of sorrow, the human mind has created springs of music and found relief. The book of Lamentations records such a song written by the prophet Jeremiah. The Israelites also had a tradition that each year the young women of Israel would go out for four days to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite. (Judges 11:40) King David lamented when he heard of the death of Saul and Saul's son, his friend Jonathan.

That lament is included in the first chapter of the book of 2 Samuel. In the New Testament, we can see that people give Jesus a royal welcome, singing "hosanna" as he rode into Jerusalem. St. Paul the Apostle in his epistle to Colossians says, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."(Colossians 3:16) Like this, the chords of music always give hope and deliverance.