Reflections on "The Gift of Music" 1 Samuel 16: 14-23

Our worship service today began with a hymnsing and finished with a good-bye to our very talented organist.  it seemed fitting to go back in the David story and tell of his ability with the lyre.  As I was preaching the sermon, it occurred to me that preaching about music is a bit daunting given the music personnel in the congregation, including multiple music professors from UNT and the Dean of the school of music.  By the time I had that thought, it was too late!

I think if I preached it again, I might add a story from the Civil War or WWI about soldiers from different sides joining in song during breaks in the battle.  It would the added another aspect to the power fo music.

The cartoon used in the conclusion probably did not fit, but I liked it so much I forced it into the sermon.

“The Gift of Music”  July 22, 2018, SAPC, Denton; I Samuel 16: 14-23; Psalm 33: 1-3

I Samuel 6: 14-23  Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord now command the servants who attend you to look for someone who is skillful in playing the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will feel better.” 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.” 18 One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him.” 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David who is with the sheep.” 20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a kid, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21 And David came to Saul, and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. 22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Introduction:  Long before DVD players were built into the back of a seat in front of you; long before portable TVs with VHS players built-in; long before CD players; way back in time, the Culp family had a tape player in their car;  not an 8-track player, mind, you, but a tape player.  

when we drove the kids around, the options were conversing with your parents (nope); playing word games (we did that for a few hours o the trip);  or listening to tapes (the preferred choice most often).

One tape played again, and again, and again.  “the Wee Kids Bible Songs” (in full-disclosure, I saw a CD of these songs advertised not too long ago and bought it, so the sounds of the songs still ring out in my car some days).

One of the songs has stuck with me, and I find myself singing it every once it awhile.  it goes like this.

Little David, play on your harp, Hallelu, Hallelu,

Little David, play on your harp, Hallelu.

Notice it is not about David and his slingshot killing Goliath; not about David the great king; it’s about David and his musical abilities.

David had many gifts, one of which was his ability to lpay the lyre, although translated in songs and biblical text as harp. It was a lyre.

On this Sunday morning we have sung some of our favorite hymns and when we say good-bye to our organist Sam, reflect a bit about music.

MOVE 1:  Music plays an important role in the biblical texts.

a.  celebrations

1. when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea leaving the Egyptians and slavery drowning in the waters, first Moses and the Israelites sang, and then his sister Miriam grabbed the tambourine and they sang another song of triumph praising God for rescuing them.

2. Likewise, after Jael had killed Sisera, the enemy’s general, Deborah and Barak sang a song regaling the listeners with the story of their victory.

3. a few weeks ago, we read where King David celebrated with music and dance when the ark was returned to Jerusalem.

4. The Psalms are full of song and dance.

5. music expresses praise of God; joy for living as God’s people; celebration after momentous events.

b. the story we read this morning,  David uses music to soothe the evil spirits in Saul.

1.  One of three introductory stories about David.  

2. One story is about David in the fields watching sheep; one is David killing Goliath; and now this one shares his musical abilities.

3.  Important to who he was.

4. musical talent that also soothes King Saul.

c.  According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn as they left the Last supper.

d.  How does music connect with you?

1.  Certain songs that are your go-to when feeling down and need to be soothed?

2.  Songs that express your joy and celebrations?

Move 2:  Music can move us to places where we imagine the possibilities beyond our reach, which invites us to the realm of the holy.

a.  Martin Luther, the Great Reformer once noted that  ”Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” (Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/entertainment/galleries/nine-quotes-about-god-and-music.aspx?p=10#bxrWDgi5j38lcOPq.99)

1.  Music allows us to tell stories and theological truths in ways that mere speech cannot access.

2. Karl Barth, the 20th century Reformed theologian, was one asked if he could summarize his theological perspective.  He answered with the first line of hymn he learned as a child: “Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so.”

3. barth wrote and spoke lots of words, brilliant words that shaped theology as we know it, but he turns to a simple hymn….

4.  Does any hymn capture the mystery and beauty of the incarnation better than “Silent night,” or the joy of that moment better than “Joy to the World?”

c. Music and also capture our hopes and dreams about God.

1.  Frederich Buechner, the Christian write, tries to describe why people show up for worship.  he writes:  they arrive with “the hope that somewhere out of the words and music and silences of this place, and out of a mystery even greater than the mystery of the cosmos itself, a voice that they would know from all other voices would speak their names and bless them." Frederick Buechner, A Room Called Remember (San Franciso: Harper and Row, 1984), 32-33. as referenced by Ted Wardlaw in Journal of Preachers, “Preaching Hope in a Time of Discouragement,” Volume XXXVII, Number 4, Pentecost (10).

2.  I suspect you have experienced that here in this Sanctuary with the hymns sung, or listening to anthems, soloists, or instrumental music.

3.  this congregation has a long tradition of very fine music.  

4.  Not for the sake of playing good music, but to glorify God and invite people to imagine the possibilities of what God is doing in their lives and the world.

5. Sam has done that for us with his organ music over the last couple of years.  I suspect on more than one occasion you have been swept away as you marveled at the music he has played.

6. Swept away to that holy place where God roams and calls us to imagine a new way of life and living.

 Conclusion: Jeff Snider, our director of music, shared this cartoon with me:  imagine a bar, more like a dive, with a little stage.  A spotlight on the singer, who looks a lot like King David, dressed in sort of a blend between Israeli king and ‘70s hippie. The David look-alike is at a mike with his lyre.  He looks out at those gathered in the bar and says:  “Here’s a little song I’ve got for you.  I call is Psalm 23.  I hope you like it.”

Music - the gift that invites us to see God’s glories and imagine the possibilities of what is calling us to do.