Article October 11, 1958 Issue

"SONGS OF DELIVERANCE"

EVELYN M. PINNELL

Mankind has praised its God in song from the days of belief in a tribal deity, through the period of worship of God as Jehovah, the mighty protector of His chosen people, to the time when Jesus of Nazareth revealed God as a loving Father. As men's concept of God has changed, so their concept of the way in which they should praise Him has changed.

Followers of the Christian religion have long ceased to believe that they must propitiate some faraway Deity by laudatory praise. Rather have their songs or hymns extolled God's love for His children and expressed gratitude for deliverance from evil of every sort. In the words of the Psalmist (Ps. 32: 7), "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance."

Christian Scientists also praise God in song, gratefully acknowledging the richness of His gifts to His children. On page 220 of his biography of Mary Baker Eddy (1950 Edition), Lyman P. Powell tells us that Mrs. Eddy often joined her household in singing such familiar hymns as "Nearer, my God, to Thee" and "Guide me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah." She knew that a singing heart, though the tongue might falter, is potent to pierce the gloom of error's claim to reality.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
IMPARTIAL LOVE
October 11, 1958
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit