Let Every Thing That Hath Breath Praise the Lord

Lesson Points:

Attention Activity:

What is Music?

Music is described as - vocal and/or instrumental sound combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form harmony, and expression of emotion. (BD Music)

What does the scriptures teach us about Music?

D&C 25:12-13 The Song of the righteous is a prayer unto me - answered with blessing

Why does the Lord say that the song of the heart is a "Prayer" unto him? (BD Prayer)

We need to make more use of our hymns to put us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord, to unify us, and to help us teach and learn our doctrine. We need to make better use of our hymns in missionary teaching, in gospel classes, in quorum meetings, in home evenings, and in home teaching visits. Music is an effective way to worship our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We should use hymns when we need spiritual strength and inspiration. (Dallin H. Oaks - October 1994)

Today we are going to talk about the book of "Psalms" this book is a selection of simple melodies/chants that were used by ancient Israel in their celebrations.  There were even guilds of musicians/singers that were developed and instituted under the tutelage of David, and continued during the time of Moses.

When do we use music?

How often do we listen to music?

How does music affect us?

Let us listen to a few selections of music and look at them... 

"Fight Song" - Piano Guys

There was no words in this song - yet it affected your emotions.  How did it affect them?

Did you feel your emotions change throughout the song - even tho no words were said?  Why?

Can music be written explicitly to cause emotions in an individual?  Can this be used for both good and bad? Examples?


"My Immortal"

How many people were singing in this song?

How did this music make you feel? Did your emotion change - from what it was before the song began?

Does Music have a purpose then? Yes!

Is certain types of music written for certain purposes? Yes!

Let's look into the Book of Psalms and see some of the music that they used and enjoyed to increase their unity with God as well as worship him!


"How Great thou art!"

How many people were singing?

Were they united - in one purpose and in one heart and mind?

Did they all sound the same? Did the differences in their voices make a difference in the experience/feeling we felt?

How did this music make you feel? Did you join them in your own mind in singing?

In what way is this an example of a prayer?

Can certain types of music affect us in different ways?

Psalms

Tehillim - Praises in Hebrew

This book was written so that through an oral tradition of singing/chanting the doctrines of God and his Law can be transmitted orally.

Let us peruse some of the Psalms in this book: Give the class about 5 minutes to look through some of the psalms and select some to share. Share the words of some of our favorite hymns.

What are some of your favorite hymns?  (The spirit of god, a poor wayfaring man of grief, Choose the Right, Called to Serve, Love at Home, Families can be together forever)

Suggestions: 

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Some Interesting Psalms:

Some Psalms are prophetic and or teach doctrine:

Prophecy

Fulfillment

Psalm 107:23-30Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus calmed the winds and the waves
Psalm 69:20Mark 14:32-41 Jesus suffered alone in Gethsemane
Psalm 22:16Mark 15:25 Jesus was crucified
Psalm 22:1Matthew 27:46 Jesus asked why the Father had forsaken him
Psalm 34:20John 19:33-36 Jesus bones not broken
Psalm 31:5Luke 23:46 Jesus commended his spirit to the Father and died
Psalm 16:10Acts 2:31-32 The Savior's flesh did not see corruption, 
being raised up in the Resurrection

There is a song prophesied to be sung when all have come to a knowledge of God!

D&C 84:98 vs 99-102 is the verses of this song

Alphabetic Poem:

Psalm 119 - Alphabetic poem - one section for each Hebrew letter in the alphabet

The Use of the Psalms:

In private life as well, the observant Jew uses all or parts of various psalms to mark and facilitate almost every life-function. There are traditional psalms for after meals, drought problems, a journey, night prayers, mourning, consecration of a house, consecration of a tombstone, prayers for and by the sick, etc.

Recitation of the Psalms is regarded by Jewish tradition as the prayer par excellence. It is not surprising, then, that in European communities and other places as well, there arose, and continue to exist among the Orthodox, Psalm societies. Called Hevrot Tehillim, they exist solely for the purpose of reciting the Psalms as a sort of “blanket protection” and prayer for the entire Jewish community. It is not rare to find observant Jews who know all of the Psalms by heart.

How do we use music in our homes?

President Nelson - Dec 2009 - The power and protection of worthy Music

What are some of  your favorite songs?

What is the difference between a hymn and a song?

What causes us to choose these particular songs?

Conclusion:

I'd like to end with one of my favorite songs - and testify that through music we can both draw near to God or withdraw from his presence.

"Nearer my god to Thee"