Music and Faith

Music has always been important to our faith both in the Bible and in modern worship. ‘Amazing grace,’ is the most recorded song ever. (Yes, it even beats ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.) I didn’t know this but it features in Star Trek II, the Wrath of Khan and also the TV Simpson’s series. It has been quoted by many famous people, including President Barak Obama.

Another loved and well-known hymn is ‘Abide with Me.’ Even i have been know to have tears running down my face at football matches (though this might have been to do with the forthcoming football match rather than my faith!)

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is an example of where music and words of scripture are blended together. To hear this being played and sung at the Royal Albert Hall in London by thousands of people is something which stirs the soul. Then we mustn’t forget one of the most prolific song writers of all time, King David with his psalms, so many of which are recorded for us in the Bible. It is easy to imagine David sitting or walking with his sheep along the hill-side, composing and writing to the glory of God. Our faith would certainly be the poorer without the Psalms.