Remember the Works of the Lord!
Father Abraham had many sons, and many sons had father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you, so let's just praise the Lord.
If you are of a certain age, you may remember this song as a youngster, or you may have sung it to your children or a kids group at church. It is very catchy but also somewhat of an earworm - you know, a song that worms its way into your brain and doesn't leave. So for those of you who are now singing this song in your head - you're welcome!
But that is the point! A good kids’ song contains both a catchy tune and easy-to-remember lyrics. For parents with toddlers, Father Abraham is a great example. A good songwriter knows how to incorporate rhythm, cadence, and memorable lyrics to drive you either to insanity or to buy their song. In my office, I often play music by Abba (don't judge), Billy Joel, the Carpenters, and Elton John. The music is catchy and instantly brings me back to the good carefree days of my childhood and early teen years. As we mature, we tend to listen to music with more substantive lyrics and more sophisticated musical content. Songs do more than make you feel good. Songs cause you to remember.
The Bible is filled with admonitions to remember. Music is a great tool to aid in memorizing Scripture. When I came to the Lord 30 years ago, my first go-to favorite Christian musician was Keith Green. His songs were easy to sing, and more importantly, he bathed his lyrics in Scripture.
Psalm 111 is an excellent example of a beautifully crafted piece of lyrical poetry that serves to bring the congregation of Israel to a place of worship and gratitude for God's magnificent works. Psalm 111 is also acrostic set to music. In the original Hebrew, each line or verse begins with a new letter of the alphabet which aids in memorization. For example, the first word of the first line starts with the Hebrew letter aleph. This verb translates, "to thank, praise, or confess." The last word of the last line begins with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet tav. This word derives from the verb, hallel meaning to praise or sing hallelujah. Praise bookends the entire Psalm in the original Hebrew. I always teach my Biblical Hebrew students the Hebrew alphabet set to the song Yankee Doodle to help them learn the letters. By the third class, they can usually sing it back to me because the melody helps them memorize. Remembrance is a key theme throughout the Old Testament. But unfortunately, the Israelites were often forgetful people!
Psalm 111 is replete with covenant language. God's works are evidence that he keeps His promises with his people Israel in redeeming them! It is a Psalm sung by the congregation in celebration of God's faithfulness. Moses' song in Exodus 15 is a response to God's works demonstrated in faithfulness by bringing Israel through the Red Sea and saving them from the Egyptians. It is a song of remembrance! Mary’s song in Luke 1 is a response to the joy of knowing she would give birth to Jesus - the Savior of the world.
Years ago, we sang a hymn in our church called Count your Blessings written by Johnson Oatman and Edwin Excell in 1897. The chorus reads
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God has done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
Today, remember that God is in control in the middle of the chaos. He is faithful when others are faithless. Most of all, remember his salvation and the redemption he has given through his Son, Jesus! Meditate on Scripture, and may your response be like that of the Psalmist - Praise and gratitude!
~ Shan Norwood and his wife Rina have been members at LIFE Fellowship for seven years. Shan is a graduate of Gordon Conwell Seminary and holds degrees in Biblical Studies and Christian Thought. He serves as a LIFE University instructor and as a stepdad to Micah and Caleb Godsey.