Art Reading Scripture

Music Mural, Wadena Minnesota

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright. Praise the LORD with lyre; make melody with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. Psalm 33:1-3

When Wadena Minnesota was faced with a project that would rip up main street for months, business owners became concerned as to how they would attract customers and tourists passing through town. The idea they settled on was to create murals on the side streets and alleys that would invite people to their back entrances. The dozens of murals created by local artists celebrated Minnesota history and culture. This mosaic celebrating music caught my eye. It is made of broken plates. It covers half a block and a wide range and variety of musicians and styles.

The mosaic is set up like a music staff led of by the treble clef. It begins with the oldest expressions of music in the state produced and sung my native peoples. A flautist and a drum circle engaged music that was deeply tied to spirituality and community life. Settlers brought music with simple instruments, a fiddle and harmonica. As communities grew bandshells were built and barbershop quartets provided summer entertainment. Church music is represented by a choir, which also celebrates Minnesota's enduring choral tradition from high schools to colleges, churches and professional choral groups. Jazz, street musicians, records, and a rock band complete the scene.

Music is deeply tied to expressing faith. The book of Psalms (Songs) is the largest in the Bible. Though we do not have any indication of what the music sounded like or what constituted for them a joyful noise or an old of new song, we know the used words, voices, and a great variety of instruments to express praise and laments, thanksgiving and wonder. The psalms recognized that all creation joined in the song. The heavens rejoice, the seas roar, the fields exult, and "all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, ..." Psalm 96. Psalms ends with five songs that begin and end with Hallelujah, Praise the LORD. They invite all creation to the song. Psalm 150 completes chorale. "Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!"

I learned to sing in Church, in Sunday School and in worship with the congregation. I sang in the Church Choir with my Dad, in school choirs, and leading Bible camp worship. Each hymnal or songbook from SBH, LBW, WOV, ELW, ACS, along with a host of other compositions from camps and praise bands are extensions of the Psalms. The Psalms are old songs which inspire ever new songs to be raised in praise and thanksgiving to God who made, loves and gives life to all all things. I cannot imagine worship without music, nor life without songs from all over the world with all of the worlds voices. From the Psalms we have the words, but what a loss to not still have the music. Thank God for composers giving new melodies and chords through which we might rejoice and sing.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer