Why Music? Phil Carpenter Ravensworth Baptist Church July 22 2018 Psalm 150 I've discovered it is a bit dangerous to do online research when preparing for a sermon. Now, to those of us who are over the age of seven, this comes as no surprise: spending much time on the computer researching anything can lead to a glut of information much of it useless. Oh, I found plenty of interesting things: A sermon of 51:52 on Psalm 150. Who would have thought that even possible? A video clip of a sweating preacher who was screaming there is no other word for it and running around the platform area the whole time he preached about Psalm 150. Full length, top quality video productions on this passage, using mass choirs, orchestras, video clips from amazingly beautiful parts of the world, and of course, fog machines. And a whole assortment of pre packaged sermons and multi media resources, all on sale for $99.95, or three easy payments of $35.00 each. Even my math skills tell me this might not be the best deal ever. As I said, the internet is a dangerous, if not interesting, place to waste/spend a lot of time. But, none of this was what I was looking for. Aren't you relieved? 1. In preparing to speak today, I was taken back in time to 1973. My home church, Ebenezer Baptist, had a new Minister of Music who was, knowingly or not, upsetting years of tradition in almost everything he did or said. He wore plaid suits. His wife worked outside the home. He drove a former police car. And, more to the point for today's topic, he embraced new music. To be precise: he sometimes used recorded music in the worship service. When I read Psalm 150, I was immediately taken back to hearing in that church of my childhood, a live presentation of Bill Gaither's "Alleluia! A Praise Gathering of Believers." Early in the musical, this very passage, Psalm 150, was given a featured spot as the leadin narration for the first strains of "Let's Just Praise the Lord!" What a memory that is for me! Obviously, for here I am 45 years later talking about it. That was a time when I learned much about praising God in wonderful, new, and exciting ways. But, as strong as that memory is, as easy as it would be for me to simply spend the next several minutes in a rose-tinted stroll down memory lane, that's not what I am here to
do this morning. You see, memories are easy. And many of us have a tendency to burnish off the rough edges and smooth out the wrinkles of our pasts, until all that remains is a flowing, silky stream of joy, happiness, smiles and sweetness. And, I don't think that does justice to the meaning of our text. I see Psalm 150 as something more than a mere happenstance, more than a nod to the beauty of music, more than a short section of prose that rounds out the book we call Psalms. Instead, I want to highlight and elevate the reasons I think the writer penned these words, and what might have led the writer to share these thoughts that appear as the final chapter of the book of Psalms. I have now lived long enough to become weary of the ease with which politicians and sometimes providers of our media take aim at music and the arts and slander them as a form of distraction from other matters. I am tired of hearing how we have to "get back to the basics of education" meaning math and science at the expense of "the arts." As if music and arts are not themselves essential to understanding ourselves, our lives, and our purpose! I sometimes want to scream when I hear some blowhard politician talk about "saving money" by cutting music programs in public schools and/or within the military institutions. Please. You want to save money? How about purchasing just a couple fewer missiles or warplane or two or dare I say it? a nuclear bomb? And the audacity of some politician-for-purchase hack pontificating about the questionable "value" of music in our schools! There is far too much to say, and far too much research to quote to begin talking about these ideas in the time we have allotted this morning. Suffice it to say, I don't agree with their points. Not even for a moment. Before I walk away from this particular point entirely, I want to go on record as saying I fully believe in music and arts for our young people; our middle-aged people; and for our older people. We all benefit when we are exposed to music, whether within church settings or outside in schools, concerts, films, Broadway and on the many media outlets we have available. Now, what I ALSO want to say is this: there is a need for making music in praise of our Creator God. Not just a "It's-a-nice-thing-to-do" sentiment. A need. 2. Driving in to work on my first day of a "real" job after graduation from seminary, I stumbled across WFDD, broadcasting from the campus of Wake Forest University. Classical music. Suddenly all the frantic thoughts crowding my head began to calm. My fears didn't exactly disappear, but they were managed. The music that had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember was with me in that moment of uncertainty and excitement. Yes, it was a moment when I praised God for the Divine's surpassing greatness! 2
If we take the traditional view of the authorship of the Psalms, we would say that Psalm 150 was written by King David. Let's follow this for a moment. David: shepherd boy; Goliath-slayer; young King; warrior; husband of many wives; close friend of Jonathan, son of the previous King, Saul; ruler over his people. Responsible for thousands of deaths; adulterer; stealer of another man's wife; heart-broken father; a writer of Psalms. And a musician. Lute was his instrument. Whether written by King David or not, Psalm 150 stands as a testament to an enormous human need. A need to find a greater purpose, a greater reason, a greater meaning than what we typically see in a given day. To borrow a phrase or two, we simply must make music as an expression of our joy, our gratitude, our hope. That was true for David. It is true for us today. David served as leader of a young nation, living in a hostile land, surrounded by those who would do them harm or destroy them altogether. He knew what it was to live in uncertain times, just like we do today. He knew what it was to have people within the nation pushing and pulling for specific causes and purposes. He knew what it was to live in fear for his own life. Less we forget, King Saul alternately loved David and then wanted to kill him! Once he became King, David had, or could have had, pretty much what he wanted, as evidenced by the choices he made. Yet, life still was not easy. The realities remained, and those things that had brought him comfort and solace earlier in life, remained constant: the music. As noted a moment ago, early in life David gains renown for playing the lute for King Saul to comfort him when he was upset. I don't think it's a stretch to imagine that this musical ability and musical appreciation stayed with him throughout his life. And, I like to think that this is one of the reasons we find today's text, Psalm 150, at the end of the book of Psalms. What started and inspired his life remained constant, and was a comfort at the end of his life. This short psalm calls us to use every means to praise our creator God: all instruments, even to our very breath is to be employed in praising God! Today we aren't so very different from David, are we? We know a thing or two about unrest. We know a bit about enemies on all sides, a divided people, living in fear, living in uncertainty to the point of being overwhelmed with the many demands and threats on our lives. And, like David, the same things that provided us comfort early in life, can remain constant and comfort and inspire us even now in the midst of our un-knowing. This is the beauty of music. 3. I was attending the funeral of a friend who died tragically, and far too young. How could he be dead? He had so much to live for, a loving family, peers who respected him; so many people who loved him. I could not just could not find words to convey my heartbreak and my sense of loss. Then the music started. Dvorak, Barber, Mozart. My soul was comforted and my heart continued to beat. 3
And I found myself again thanking God for the gift of music, especially during that time of grief and loss. Yes, in the midst of it all, we are called to praise God. With instruments, with beautiful music, with all that we have. So, why music? Why indeed. Perhaps you can relate to the following thought: Sometimes I don't feel like doing this the very idea of praising God is simply beyond me. I am sickened by what I see and hear every day. I am ashamed of the thoughts I hear expressed by those I thought I knew, perhaps even love. I am stunned by the fierce anger and sheer mean spirit I see and hear, the lack of care on ANY level for the needs not wants of those in desperate circumstances. I am almost paralyzed by fear; I am frozen by the very thought of having to stand up to the hate and bitterness I witness all around me. I am quite sure I can't do it. I just can't. Although I may think I don't have it within me to stand against this onslaught of evil, I do know that this is the very time I must; WE must. And, THIS is why music! Music gives us strength, it voices our heartbreak, it conveys our sense of longing, and wanting to see a more just and compassionate world. Music brings us together when so many things and so many people seek to tear us apart. Music steadies our nerves thinking of David here, wondering if music gave him courage as he started to walk towards Goliath! and gives us the courage we need to move forward, whether in facing giants of yesteryear or the would-be tyrants of today. When words fail, music prevails... Words to remember: Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart. Pablo Casals Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. Victor Hugo Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Berthold Auerbach Where words fail, music speaks. Hans Christian Andersen Without music, life would be a mistake. Friedrich Nietzsche 4
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. Aldous Huxley Music is the voice that tells us that the human race is greater than it knows. Napoleon Bonaparte Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. Martin Luther The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. Johann Sebastian Bach Music is the harmonious voice of creation; an echo of the invisible world. Giuseppe Mazzini Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness. Maya Angelou Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/maya_angelou_106861?src=t_music Without music, life would be a mistake. Friedrich Nietzsche A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. Abraham Maslow If you talk bad about country music, it's like saying bad things about my momma. Them's fightin' words. Dolly Parton Or as the psalmist said: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Amen. 5