“But I will sing about your strength. In the morning I will sing about your love. You are my defender, my place of safety in times of trouble. God, my strength, I will sing praises to you. God, my defender, you are the God who loves me.”
Psalm 59:16-17, NCV
I’ve always considered singing as strange. To vocalize with music as a bit bizarre. The dictionary doesn’t clarify it, but makes it even stranger,
“to utter words or sounds in succession with musical modulations of the voice; vocalize melodically.”
And yet from this strangeness, David can find a solid reason to sing. At this time in David’s life, things are quite tense. Saul has been focussed on him, and has come very close to pinning David down. I’m sure David is struggling with anxiety, doubt and despair. And yet, it is from these considerable issues that David starts singing.
A precedent has been set. Singing while in deep water. The song has a theme and direction. David sings about God. He sings about His strength, and love, and protection. I suppose if you are walking through an evil mob– it is really good to be watched over, and to be securely protected is very much appreciated.
When evil is immense and active, our first response should be to sing. When we direct ourselves toward the Lord, and begin to sing to Him, the enemy scrambles for cover. Worship scares him. Satan is confused and frightened when we start to praise our God. (I tend to think he has an allergy.)
I consider myself to be pragmatic and logical. There are things I see right through. Pyramid schemes, Nigerian banking plans, and multilevel marketing are things that are discernible to me. But this particular Psalm punches through, and I confess I have come to understand this extraordinary power of worship. When I decide to worship, all heaven breaks loose.
Often, I think, we can “sugar-coat” worship, and make it for feeling good about ourselves. And yet when we do come into His presence, it is a joy and there is peace for us. And this is terrific. But we should reformat our thinking.
Worship is warfare. As we stand and praise Him, the kingdom of Satan is substantially degraded and minimized. Worship does this and more. It is an offensive weapon against dark forces. It is a defensive weapon to protect our minds.
Satan fully hopes that we will forget this idea of worship, he strategizes actively against it. It frightens him when we start to understand. Worship of the True God drains Satan of his power and authority. Perhaps sinners truly become kings and queens when we start to praise our God. And that doesn’t sit well with the darkness.
