Scriptural songs

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.      — Colossians 3:16

The beloved songwriter, John W. Peterson, was a master at using Scripture in his songs. When I was a teenager in the church choir, we performed his cantata “Jesus Is Coming” and sang these words taken from 2 Timothy 3, verse 1: “In the last days perilous times shall come. Men shall be lovers of themselves.” Then he wrote of the grim signs that we would recognize in the last days (vv. 2-7). The steady cadence of his music helps me remember that list even today.

While some of us have trouble memorizing verses from God’s Word, something in our brain helps us to remember words in songs. If we analyze some of our favorite Christian songs and choruses, we find that they have been derived from Scripture. Thus, we can use the memory boost of music to hide away God-breathed words in our hearts (2 Tim. 3:16). Songs such as “Open the Eyes of My Heart” (Isa. 6:9-10; Eph. 1:18) or favorites like “Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart” (Ps. 119:11, 105) are taken from the Bible. With these words hidden in our memory, a song of praise comes quickly to our lips.

No matter what kind of voice you have, when you sing the words of Scripture back to God, it is sweet music to His ears.     — Cindy Hess Kasper

You are the chosen of the Lord

To sing His highest praise,

And through the melody of song

To show His wondrous ways. — Anon.

READ: Colossians 3:15-17

Hymns are the incense of a worshipping soul praising God!

The Bible in one year:

• Psalms 3-5