From these scriptures I have
learned to revere the hymns for these reasons:
1.
They are “sacred” to the Lord, so
they should be sacred to His saints.
2.
The hymns are inspired! (“as it
shall be given thee”) By this I know they teach correct doctrine.
3.
The Lord considers them “prayers”
when sung by the righteous, so we should reverence them as such.
4.
If we do so, singing them
(praying them) “will bring a blessing upon our heads.
Through the years I have come to
realize some of these blessings. The music is sacred. We know it invites the
spirit, why? Because the Lords very “soul delighteth in the song of the heart.”
All of us are all drawn−̶-even
compelled toward something that delights us−̶-that we love! So it is with the
spirit of the Lord.
If we read the words of the
sacred, inspired hymns, they testify
to our spirits of the doctrines taught. Combine those truths with music and
they sink deep into our hearts−̶-never to be forgotten. That is why the children’s
hymns are so crucial! Remember how we learned our ABC’s?
If “songs of the righteous are
prayers unto the Lord” I believe therefore, that opening AND closing hymns are
part of the Invocation and Benediction of every meeting. After an opening
prayer, which should be an invocation for the Lord’s blessing on our meetings,
we all say amen. This signifies our affirmation and unity in invoking the
Lord’s blessings−̶-likewise
the benediction. Just as we fast and pray together for desired blessings on a
beloved family or ward member, because our combined prayers have greater power
to obtain blessings from heaven, so singing the sacred hymns together brings
this greater power and they bind us together in unity and love.
I was taught years ago that when
preparing for a lesson, that time is mine. I can take all the time I need. But,
when I teach that lesson, the class time belongs to the Lord. It is a sacred
time for the Lord to instruct His children. We
should only be the vessel! I’ve come to believe−̶-to know−̶-that if our purpose is to invite
the spirit and be taught by the Lord, then music is the most important part.
I know there are some students in our classes who do not pray on their own, or
at least not consistently. How can we fail
to give them the opportunity “pray” a hymn to the Lord. Far too often in church classes, a teacher
will exceed his or her allotted time and the person conducting will announce,
“Sorry, we don’t have time for the closing hymn.” Then, with children clamoring
noisily at the door, we have a hasty closing prayer, instead of a sacred
benediction! I believe that just as an opening hymn is a prayer to invite the
spirit of the Lord, a closing hymn is a benediction, it is NOT just a
song we can skip. The dictionary defines benediction as a form of blessing.
Then let’s never forget to “sing a prayer” to bring forth the Lord’s promised
blessings! If we do, that closing hymn will seal the testimony of the
teacher and the students, and all will be edified together!
