The Song Of Songs.

Many, many years ago when I was a teenager I used to have to walk along a certain road to get to work. It was a winding, twisty road about half a mile long. And it was uphill all the way to the top. Every morning and evening I walked that road in spring, summer and winter and in all kinds of weather.

But my favourite abiding memory of walking that road was that on springtime mornings I could hear a cuckoo calling out. I never saw the thing as it was nested high up in trees on the other side of the road. But on many mornings I could hear its call so shrill and clear as I walked by. Everyone in the vicinity could hear it. Amongst all the varied birdsong this one rang out so distinctively clear.

Although I haven’t walked along that road in many years, at that time of my life I would have walked it several times a day, almost every day. But of all my memories of travelling that road it is the morning call of the cuckoo that I remember most.

For some reason it very recently came back to my  memory on a very unrelated kind of way.

I had gone out to visit a little church a few miles away that was holding their annual mission outreach. I knew some people who were members in it and decided to go along and offer my support.

It was a small building, it only sat about 50 people, and it was filled that night. I greeted my friends and sat down to enjoy the service which started off by singing a selection of popular well known hymns. They were all old time gospel favourites and I very quickly got into the spirit of the singing.

There was no praise band at the front, just an organist. No overhead screens with the words on them. No choir or fantastic singer to lead everyone in the singing. And it was fantastic. The singing soon became loud and enthusiastic. As for me and my friends – We knew that we couldn’t sing a note. So what we lacked in musical talent we more than made up for in volume and ghusto.

Singing has always been part of God’s way for His people. The whole book of Psalms and the Song of Solomon are testament to that. Did you know that the Song of Solomon is more properly described as an opera? A song script with different people singing different parts?

But singing goes back much further than that. Consider Moses and the children of Israel…

Exodus Ch15 (1) Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

In some verses from the book of The Judges chapters 5 when Deborah sang victory song …

Judges Ch5 (1) On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: (2) "When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the LORD! 

Consider a song of David from 2nd Samuel…

2nd Samuel Ch22 (1) David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. (2) He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; (3) my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. 

Songs were sang after the rebuilding of the walls and the temple of Jerusalem…

Nehemiah Ch12 (27) Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps.

The teachings of Isaiah…

Isaiah Ch12 (2) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 

Right even up to, and through the new testament…

Matthew Ch26 (30) And when they (Jesus and the disciples) had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives. 

Ephesians Ch5 (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians Ch3 (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Singing and music has always been a very large part of God’s way for His people. Right from the time of the battle of Jericho when the city fell at the sound of Israel’s trumpets and musical instruments to the song of the seven mystical angels in the book the The Revelations…

Revelations Ch15 (3) They (the angels) sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! 

But they don’t have to be elaborate, epic musicals like Handel’s Messiah. Often times it is the simple little songs, with simple little words in them, that brings the most meanings between us and God.

And that little church certainly warrants another visit from me. For as I walk along my christian road there are precious memories that I have gained along the way. And, just like the melodious little cuckoo calling out all those years ago I shall remember the singing from that little gospel service, so distinct and clear, for a very long time.

I will sing of my Redeemer
and his wondrous love to me;
on the cruel cross he suffered,
from the curse to set me free.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
Author P.P.Bliss. 1876

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