Hearing God when we worship

The purpose of the psalms were and are to encourage and insight people to worship God. Some psalms are prophetic and illustrate future events, while others tell a story or give counsel. David established that each psalm should be read in the temple and during worship. But, one psalm has stood out more then the others and that is Psalms 81. It begins with a stirring up of the worshipper and those around them to elevate their voices in praise and shouts unto the Lord. Then it moves to including music during their singing and shouting unto the Lord. The writer of Hebrews calls it a sacrifice of praise, when we engage in shouting and praising God (he13:15). We encourage one another through worship especially when the situations are not going so well.  Paul tells the church that he would rather speak five words with understanding than one thousand without, so that others may  be edified (1Cor14:19). Something happens when we engage in purposed worship and it is why we come to church and why we include music. Two renown scientist; sugaya and violinist Yonetani in “Music and the Brain” explores how music impacts brain function and human behavior, including by reducing stress, pain and symptoms of depression as well as improving cognitive and motor skills, spatial-temporal learning and neurogenesis, which is the brain’s ability to produce neurons.  

Psalms 81:5-7

When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. I heard an unknown voice say: 6 “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.c]

This psalms to the people of Israel brings to memory a reminder that God with a mighty hand set them free from the iron hand of Pharaoh.  So, David wanted to make sure that his people did not forget where God brought them from. Joshua made the same point earlier that people should not forget where God brought them from (Jos24:17). Now, something happened when the people became engaged in worship and praise in the temple and that is that they heard God’s voice. God reminded them that it was he who removed the burden when they were bound (ps81:5). They heard a strange voice. In the midst of a complicate society where many dialects were, God’s voice was found. God’s sheep can always hear when he speaks, because they know or recognize his voice; as Jesus said in John 10:27. When one is going through moments of heart ache and difficulties it can be a bit surprising to hear God. When we read this psalms as is, we can understand that one way to hear his voice is when we engage in a praise session. David again encourages the readers to praise God with instruments and voice (ps150:2-3). Elijah did not engage in a praise session when at the mountain when heard God’s still small voice, but when he heard it he bowed down and humble himself. 

 

 

 

 

Verses
For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
Psalms 150:2-3

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

John 10:27

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

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