“Make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing.” – Psalm 98:5, NIV

Years ago, my friend Zephaniah taught me how to play the guitar.

Even better, I learnt how to play as I sing, which many guitarists can’t do.

Later, I bought my own guitar.

I can’t say that I am an expert guitarist but I am okay playing it during my personal devotions and sometimes publicly as well.

Additionally, I have composed a few songs.

As a boy, David learned how to play the harp, a stringed musical instrument that dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Unlike the modern guitar that has just six strings, a harp typically has as many as 45 or more, which enables the instrument to allow for a broad range of notes and harmonics.

Becoming proficient at playing the harp could take several years of dedicated practice.

In the Bible, a harp is first mentioned in Genesis 4:21 but as I mentioned earlier, it came to be mainly associated with King David, who introduced it as one of the musical instruments that were used in temple worship (1 Chronicles 15:16).

Our meditation today admonishes us to “make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing.”

In connection with worship, musical instruments may symbolize divine connection and spiritual inspiration.

Music helps to create an atmosphere conducive to prayer and meditation, which implies that gospel music does enhance spiritual experiences and brings people closer to God.

At a personal level, music can elevate emotional and spiritual experiences, helping the believer to connect more deeply with the spiritual realm.

“Let the Word 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.”

Psalm 71:22 says; “I will also praise You with the psaltery, [even] Your truth, O my God: to You will I sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.”

Psalm 57:7 says; “My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.”

A man called Jeduthun is said to have “prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.” (See 1 Chronicles 25:3).

In 2 Kings 3:15, Elisha, the prophet of Israel, requested a musician to play music, and as the music was played, the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha.

This led to Elisha prophesying that the valley would be filled with water, which indeed happened, providing the much-needed water for the armies and their animals.

At the communal level, music provides a powerful means for professing faith in a way that spoken words alone might not do.

Shared musical experiences help us to foster a sense of community and belonging.

Singing or playing music together in worship services to the Lord does unite people, reinforcing communal bonds and shared beliefs.

Even our Lord Jesus did sing together with His disciples (Matthew 26:30).

Psalm 149:3 says; “Let them praise His Name in the dance: let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.”

The apostle Paul admonished the Church; “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians 5:19).

He added in Colossians 3:16: “Let the Word 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.”

Something supernatural happens when believers communally make music to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 5:13 says; “The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: ‘He is good; His love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud.”

May we never get tired of making music to the Lord. Amen!