Posts tagged hymns and spiritual songs

LET US COME BEFORE HIM WITH THANKSGIVING AND EXTOL HIM WITH MUSIC AND SONG. ( Psalm 95:2 *NIV )

Now it is written that we should SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER WITH PSALMS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS. SING AND MAKE MUSIC IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD. ( Ephesians 5:19-20 ) So, we will turn to the Book of Psalms. The Hebrew word for Psalm is [mizmar]. This Hebrew word is derived from the verb [zamar] which means “To Make Music.”

Therefore the Book of Psalms is the hymnal of ancient Israel. While the lyrics are preserved, the music originally written to accompany them has been lost to the ages. For only the occasional musical notations are left. For instance many are directed “To The Chief Musician,” while others call for musical accompaniment.

As an example Psalm 4 calls for stringed instruments; Psalm 5 for flutes; Psalm 6 for the eight-stringed harp; and Psalm 8 for the instrument of Gath *NKJV, or according to Gittith *NIV. It’s true meaning is unknown to us today.

You will even find that some of the Hymns that we use today were inspired by the words of a particular Psalm. Some of those Hymns are as follows:

Psalm 23 inspired:
1. The King Of Love MY Shepard Is
2. My Shepard Shall Supply My Need
3. The Lord Is My Shepard

Psalm 46 inspired:
1. A Mighty Fortress Is My God

Psalm 61 inspired:
1. Hiding In Thee ( O Safe to the Rock that is Higher
Than I )

Psalm 87 inspired:
1. Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken

Psalm 90 inspired:
1. O God, Our Help In Ages Past

Psalm 100 inspired:
1. All People That On Earth Do Dwell
2. Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne

Psalm 103 inspired:
1.  Praise To The Lord, The Almighty

Psalm 104 inspired:
1. O Worship The King, All Glorious Above

Psalm 126 inspired:
1. Bring In The Sheaves

So the next time you sing or hear one of those beautiful Hymns, remember that it was inspired by the words of a 3,000 year old Psalm.

Have a wonderful day and may it be filled with music. Amen.