The Singing Voice of God

She will never win a Grammy, but there's no lovelier music than a mother singing her baby to sleep with a simple lullaby.

They will never sell a record, but some of the sweetest music I've ever heard came from Christians in an impoverished part of Haiti who sang with all their hearts while they walked to church on Sunday morning.

A friend of mine faithfully cared for his wife as she sank into the shadowy depths of Alzheimer's disease. Long after most of her memory was gone and she ceased to speak, she perked up whenever he quoted Scripture or sang a hymn.

Recently another acquaintance was admitted to hospice care, and in the hours leading up to his death, his family gathered around his bed and sang hymns, transforming his room into a sanctuary of praise. He spent his final hours on earth surrounded by beautiful harmonies and comforting lyrics filled with biblical truth.

Songs can express our deepest sadness or our highest joy. David played his harp to soothe the troubled King Saul. Beaten and fastened in stocks, Paul and Silas prayed and sang a midnight duet from the depths of a prison cell. The prodigal son's father celebrated his boy's return by throwing a party complete with music and dancing. Relieved and grateful, what else could he do but rejoice and sing about the reclamation of his lost son? The Bible says, "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise" (James 5:13).

Music is God's gift to us, and it's our gift to God. In times of celebration the great songs of faith express our praise. When we are overwhelmed by sorrow the songwriter helps us affirm, "Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father." When we feel alone a familiar hymn reminds us, "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!"

Jesus sang with his disciples on the night before he was crucified (Matthew 26:30). I wonder how that ensemble sounded—a dozen male voices echoing in an upper room—fishermen blending with a tax collector and other proud men who struggled to harmonize even when they weren't singing.

Tucked away in the Minor Prophets there's an intriguing reference to the singing voice of God. The prophet Zephaniah loudly denounces the sins of God's people. He warns about God's impending judgment on Jerusalem and the surrounding nations. Then, just when doom appears certain, Zephaniah closes his book with a bright ray of hope. Beyond the suffering that is sure to come, the Lord promises to preserve and bless the humble. He will forgive their sins, take away their punishment, remove their fear, and restore their honor.

"The Lord Almighty is with you," the prophet says. "He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

What a beautiful description of God—and what a comfort in seasons of sadness. In a snapshot of grace almost too exquisite to imagine, Zephaniah pictures the Lord rejoicing over his people with singing.

What does the Lord's singing voice sound like? Perhaps like the sweet comfort of a mother's lullaby. Or the joyful tones of the prodigal's father.