MUSIC AND MEMORIES
Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Psalm 96:1 (NLT)
Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.”
Exodus 15:1 (NLT)
Have you ever heard a song from your past and been instantly flooded with memories and emotions? Or suddenly found yourself moved to tears during worship? These common experiences show how music, emotion, and memory are profoundly intertwined in our brains—and this is no coincidence.
God designed our minds to connect with music on a deep level. That's why He gave us music as a primary way to worship Him: songs trigger thoughts and feelings that words alone often fail to reach.
The power of song is ancient. After God miraculously delivered the Israelites through the Red Sea in Exodus 15, Moses wrote the world's oldest recorded song. This worship anthem became the ultimate way to seal the intense feelings and emotions of that experience into the Israelites’ collective memory. They sang to remember and creatively pass down their history.
We’re still called to this today. In Psalm 96:1, the Psalmist encourages us to Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! This is an invitation to write your own personal anthem—to sing about what God has done in your own words. When you personalize your praise this way, God's character, nature and mighty works are remembered and reinforced at a deeper level in your heart and mind.
APPLICATION: Take a moment to reflect on one way God has powerfully been moving in your life. It could be when He arrived at just the right time with exactly what you needed, brought a special friend into your life, or revealed Himself to you in a new and personal way. Now, follow the Psalmist’s instructions and make your praise personal by singing about it. Don’t worry about how your voice sounds, and just enjoy singing about God’s goodness, power or faithfulness to provide for you!
PRAYER: Father, today, fill my heart with a new song for You. You are full of love, infinitely powerful, good beyond measure, faithful forever and always working Your perfect plan. Please give me songs to help my heart and mind recall these truths forever—and let me sing with abandon today out of the joy You provide! Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?