1. Samuel 16,14-23 2623
Cantate 40
Flavia Domitilla, Virgin, Martyr in Rome under Trajan 100
C. F. W. Walther, Pastor and Theologian, † 1887
7. Mai 2023
1. ℣ O sing unto Yahweh a new song:
℟ For He hath done marvelous things (Psalm 98,1a).
O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou art valiantly exalted; as we believe You have been raised from the dead, we take comfort in this, so that death no longer has dominion over us. Amen. (Psalm 118,16; Romans 6,9 Versicles).
2. »Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from Yahweh tormented him. And Saul’s servants said to him: „Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it and you will be well.“ So Saul said to his servants: „Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.“ One of the young men answered: „Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech and a man of good presence, and Yahweh is with him.“ Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said: „Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.“ And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying: „Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.“ And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.«
3. Music is a wonderful gift from God. Music expresses our emotions, our thoughts and our prayers. Music inspires us, comforts us and challenges us. Music often evokes memories.
4. King Saul was troubled. He had turned back from following Yahweh and would not perform His commandments (1. Samuel 15,10). Yahweh had rejected Saul as king; the Holy Spirit had departed Saul, and a grievous spirit from Yahweh smothered him (1. Samuel 15,23; 16,14 lxx). God punished Saul for his disobedience, but He also provided him relief. The Scriptures tell us that music soothes the tormented soul. The songs David played on his lyre refreshed Saul and caused the grievous spirit to depart him.
5. Everyone experiences some sort of torment like Saul. For some it is really intense but for others it is manageable and fading. At times it is grievous a spirit, mental depression, anxiety or a combination of several ailments. Music often provides great comfort. I had a friend in college who had bouts schizophrenia; prescription medication helped, but often when he struggled with it he would listen to Medieval choir music; he said the music was the most helpful treatment for him.
6. Notice that it was David who was of great comfort to Saul. 1000 years later David’s descendant was born who would likewise deal with grievous spirits by casting them out. Jesus then shed His blood to redeem to save all in the grip of the Devil’s torment. Paul comforts us with these words: »At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven, on the the earth and under earth« (Philippians 2,10). »Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God« (Colossians 3,16). »Praise Yahweh! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Let everything that has breath praise Yahweh! Praise Yahweh!« (Psalm 150,1-2.6)
7. Two particular Medieval hymns often sung together tie this singing of praise to the risen Christ:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Now let our joy rise full and free;
Christ our comfort true will be. Alleluia! (Christ is Arisen lsb 459,3)
Christ indeed from death is risen,
Our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, Victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia. (Christians, to the Paschal Victim lsb 460,3)
8. Christ Jesus is the new Song and Music that trumpets the salvation and deliverance of fallen men and women. He uplifts our soul with glad tidings. He washes away our sin and sorrow. He gives us His flesh and blood to eat and drink for life eternal. To Him we give our loving, thankful lauds and accolades.
9. O my soul, sing,
Sing well, lift up your voice
To Him who made everything
For Him who reigns, rejoice.
I will serve and praise You, Lord
Here upon the earth
A heartfelt sound I raise You
A lifelong song of mirth. (Du meine Seele, singe elkg 583,1 2021 Paul Gerhardt 1653 nach Psalm 146).
This is most certainly true.
13. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.
14. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast promised in Thy Holy Gospel that Thy disciples shall know the truth and the truth shall make the free, give us, we pray Thee, the Sprit of truth, sent by Thee and leading to Thee, that we may find the truth in finding Thee, who art the Way, the Truth and the Life, forever and ever. Amen. (Cantate, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office.)
To God alone be the Glory
Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm
✠
All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart.
Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kirchengesangbuch. Copyright © 2021 Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche, Hannover.
The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.
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