Originally posted June 10, 2014
The words we sing and speak are so important. But I have discovered so is the melody…
There is something so powerful about music
Psalm 22 is a song of David. It begins with these words:
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Psalm 22:1-2 NLT
Imagine what music he sang these words to.
Maybe it was a somber, sad tune. He is going through a terrible time. He must have been singing to a slow piece of music. Surely it was in a minor key.
I wanted to know what the music sounded like. Then I saw it…
Go back to the little bit we often overlook. It’s above verse one.
“To the Chief Musician; set to the tune of Aijeleth Hashshahar. A Psalm of David.“
That meant nothing to me so I dug a little deeper.
As I read what Evans wrote in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (09/06/2014) something happened in my spirit. (I would thoroughly recommend reading it).
Aijeleth Hashshahar means “Hind of the morning”, or “The deer of dawn”. It “probably had reference to the early habits of the deer tribe in search of water and food, or to the flight of the hind from the hunters in early dawn; or “morning” may symbolise the deliverance from persecution and sorrow”
It is the last part of the night. It is the time when darkness still prevails. It is the time just before break of day. The sun is about to rise. The rays of sun can be seen before the sun itself appears.
Aijeleth Hashshahar was likely a piece of music that conveyed a complex emotion – acknowledging sadness while hinting at the promise of a new day.
This is not the music of the night. It is the sound of tomorrow. The song of a new day.
David’s words may have felt like he had no hope, but his music told a different story.
Your choice of music determines the end of your song.
In my darkest times, it has been hard to sing praise and thanks to God. But if, like David, we choose the song of a new day, our words of despair will evolve into words of thanks, hope and promise.
Music sets the atmosphere. Our thoughts, words and attitudes will come into sync with the sound we have chosen.
Your sound brings breakthrough.
Paul and Silas were put into the inner dungeon of a prison (Acts 16:22-34). Their feet were in stocks.
What did they do? In the darkness, of the darkest place, they began to sing. I imagine it was a tune similar to Psalm 22.
What happened? A massive earthquake hit and the doors flew open. Light would have streamed through the doors. Even at midnight, with doors broken open, light would have started to appear.
They did not sing according to what they saw in the natural. They chose to rise above their darkness and sing to the sound of hope and what was to come.
A new day is coming. Sing.
Do you know what follows Psalm 22? Yes, Psalm 23. A Psalm of peace. A Psalm of a new season. A Psalm of rest, of hope and of victory!
Music is powerful. Use it to declare what is to come.
Are you in a season of darkness, disappointment and despair?
Sing. Don’t sing according to the dark. Sing to the tune of a new day. Morning is coming. Sing and usher it in. Sing to the sound of what is to come.
Begin with whatever words you need to. Allow the music to transition your heart from despair to praise.
Your Father is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never fails and He won’t start with you now.
Sing according to the promises over your life. Sing.
Are you in a season of hope, promise and joy?
Sing. Welcome in a new day. An even greater season. A day of double portion. A day of increase. A day of the more.
Music creates the atmosphere. So, the next time you’re facing darkness, don’t be afraid to raise your voice in praise. Choose the “sound of a new day” and usher in hope and breakthrough. Remember, your songs of faith have the power to change your circumstances!
