Thoughts for the Day

O sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things....

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who live in it.
Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing together for joy
at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Working in my room with the windows open this summer I was suddenly aware of the noises all around me. A magpie was absolutely squawking at a cat; the young children next door were giggling as they played on a slide; a neighbour was chopping wood; inside the house I could hear my son playing an Irish jig on his violin; the "Any old iron" man went down the street (yes they still exist!); and finally when the cats moved away I heard the exquisite song of a blackbird. Hearing the 'music' of sounds around us can be taken for granted, and we can just think of it as noise. But for those who lose their hearing and rely on hearing-aids, as I do, sound is still a miracle!

Psalm 98 reminds me of the wonder of sound, and also of an idea developed in Greece centuries ago, called the 'Music of the Spheres'. It's not just a cd once produced by the group 'Coldplay' but a philosophical concept that regards the movements of bodies like the sun, the moon and the planets as a kind of music. The 16th century astronomer, John Kepler, didn't think this could be heard by our ears, but it could be heard by our souls. These ideas continued to influence schools of thought for centuries, including humanism.

Psalm 98 calls for the whole earth - the people, the hills, the seas, and even floods - to make a song of welcome to God for all that He has done for us. Perhaps we can reflect today on the glory of sound and of hearing, and lift our souls (and voices or instruments if desired) to God in thanks for the music of sounds?

Heavenly Father,
who designed the earth
and the whole universe
giving it sound.
We thank You for the ability to hear;
to distinguish and recognise sounds;
to giggle and laugh;
to speak and sing;
and to play music.
We ask Your blessing
on all who cannot hear,
and on all who work to
improve their hearing.
Amen.