When in our music God is glorified
and adoration leaves no room for pride
it is as though the whole creation cried
Hallelujah!
So starts hymn 533 in Voices United. Music is an important part of all our worship and has been part of our long tradition of worship through the centuries.
Music is part of so many memories, from “Happy Birthday” or “Auld Lang Syne” sung at annual parties to “Silent Night” by candle light on Christmas Eve. Music through hymns also bring memories flooding back, perhaps a special baptism or a funeral for a beloved. Some tunes are so familiar that we can write new poetic words to expand our musical praise.
Hymns sing our love and our hope:
Child of blessing, child of promise
baptized with the Spirit’s sign (VU 444)
Hymns sing what we believe:
When a poor one who has nothing shares with strangers
when the thirsty water give unto us all
when the wounded in their weakness strengthen others
then we know that God still goes that road with us (VU 702)
Hymns sing our lament:
“Why has God forsaken me?”
cried out Jesus from the cross
as he shared the loneliness
of our deep grief and loss (VU 154)
Hymns also sing our joy:
For the music of creation, for the song your Spirit sings
for your sound’s divine expression, burst of joy in living things
God, our God, the world’s composer, hear us, echoes of your voice
music is your art, your glory, let the human heart rejoice! (VU 535)
What are your favourite hymns? What memories accompany those tunes and words? Whatever comes to mind, let us raise our voices and sing with all creation: Hallelujah!
Let every instrument be tuned for praise
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise
And may God give us faith to sing always
Hallelujah! (VU 533)
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