Connecting to God through song

Exodus 15:1-2

In my last post, the Israelites were facing the oncoming wrath of the Egyptian army. Moses raised his arms and the waters parted so the Israelites could safely cross the sea on dry land. When they got to the other side, the Israelites celebrated by singing a song. Here is the beginning of that song, which lasts through verse 18:

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:1-2)

The Isreaelites’ situation could not have been more dire: Face slaughter by the angry Egyptian army or drown in the sea. Thus, the joy at being alive was momentous. Not only were they safe on dry land, the Egyptian army had been destroyed! Their response to their salvation was to sing with all of their hearts to God.

Music as a form of celebration, inspiration, and worship plays an important part in our lives. From the pomp and circumstance of formal ceremonies, to the heartfelt songs at a funeral; from the motivating playlist on our phone, to spiritual music for praise, music defines periods of our lives, enriching our memories and ritualizing life’s passages. The goosebumps or sense of awe accompanying special music is one of the ways we feel our connection to God.

I fondly recall both the traditional hymns in my grandparent’s rural church, and the songs my father wrote for our church in Kansas City. Plus the contemporary music through various stages of my life. Those songs serve as markers along the path of my own spiritual journey.

What music or songs have played a defining role for you? What song would you pick to celebrate a significant family event, or even a celebration of your life?