Biblical knowledge

I've commented before on how much music can help impart Biblical texts and messages. Just this past week, one of the readings should have been familiar to everyone from the ordinary liturgy. During the Sunday School hour lately, I've overheard one class of students learning the books of the New Testament by singing the names.

So it made me laugh especially hard to see last week's episode of "Psych" on television, where one character tried to recite the books of the Bible:
Genesis
Exorcist
Leviathan
Do...the right thing

If only his Sunday School teacher had taught more music!

Like it says in the Bible...

The other day, a friend of mine related the saying (with full irony) that her father always loved to tell her: "Like it says in the Bible, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.'"

I'll just set aside the political overtones that the conversation could take at this point to observe that in some ways the Bible really does say that, and so do some of our best hymns.

For instance, my concordance lists six psalms about living without fear. The birth of Jesus is heralded by angels who proclaim "Fear not!" His ministry is full of the command to followers and believers not to fear, and even from the cross He calms the fear of the criminals crucified with Him, proclaiming they will see Him in paradise.

I've found it impossible to think of a hymn with the word "fear" in its title (but I welcome comments from anyone who can think of one). On the other hand, so many verses repeat the message of hope and trust in God's guidance during times of fear:

*ELW 600 (Out of the Depths I Cry to You): "We rest our fears in your good Word and trust your Holy Spirit"

*ELW 778 (The Lord's My Shepherd): "Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale, yet will I fear no ill"

*ELW 787 (On Eagle's Wings): "You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day"

The ELW has an entire section of hymns under the heading "Trust, Guidance." During times of turmoil, change, and fear - be they economic, personal, or spiritual - these are just some of the hymns that repeat God's message for us: "Fear not!"

Incidentally, none of my examples above come from the title or first verse of a hymn. It's so important that we read and proclaim the Word by singing every verse as well as through reading scripture. Repeatedly exploring the source material (sola scriptura) is how we deepen our faith and understanding. From a similar point of view, Slate.com had a long-running series by David Plotz about his experience reading the Bible (read more here and here).

If you had to sum up the Bible in two words, "Fear not!" wouldn't be the worst attempt. It's a message many of us need to hear right now.

At the works of God's hands, I sing for joy

On a snowy Ohio morning, I'm on my way to practice at church. One of our hymns this week is "Arise, Your Light Has Come" (the tune of "Rise up, O Saints of God"), and it's one for which I always struggle to find the appropriate tempo. The Musicians Guide to the ELW lists a range of 62 - 70 for the half note, placing it in the category of a fast march. In fact, I find that when played as slow as 62, the tactus shifts to the quarter note and the hymn begins to feel too much like an army marching through mud.

Now, some hymns truly are marches ("Onward Christian Soldiers," to name the obvious one). For me, though, the text of "Arise" is just too joyous and enthusiastic for me to allow it to plod, and I've been known to push the tempo as fast as 80 bpm. At that tempo, it becomes a lyric piece that does inspire me to rise up and take action.

The best hymns, the best Bible verses, the best sermons - they all inspire us to act on our Christian faith and live it fully on a day-to-day basis. That's what the hymn does for me when I play it, and I want to share that with the congregation on Sunday. So hum a few bars of ELW 314 at some point today, acting out the psalmist's decree to declare steadfast love of God in the morning and evening to the music of lute, harp, and lyre (Psalm 92, paraphrase). Tell me if that faster tempo and that inspiring text don't provide the imptus for you to do everything in your day a little better and with a smile - despite the snow in your driveway.