He has put a new song in my mouth– Psalm 40:3
Do you have a new song to sing each day? I have to admit that lately I have not had a song in my heart or in my mouth because of negative circumstances in our lives. But singing can bring physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual refreshment to individuals of all ages, even beginning in the womb. The unborn child’s ears at 20 weeks are structurally equivalent to an adult’s ears and the amniotic fluid is an excellent conductor of sound.
God knows what He’s doing when He encourages us numerous times throughout Scripture to sing. He desires our songs of praise to Him, but He also designed music for our good – to promote our wellness, to help us manage stress, to encourage us to express our feelings, to help enhance our memory, and to help us improve communication.
It is easy to sing when all is right in our world, but we should not sing only when things are going well for us. My mentor that I mentioned in a previous post, Jo Bevington, is recuperating from a stroke, is almost blind, and is now unable to work with children, but she always has a new song in her heart and mouth when I talk with her. She recently sent me this scripture: I will be glad and full of joy because of You Most High God. I will sing praise to You.” Psalm 9:2
Scriptures gives us examples of ways God used music in difficult times. In 2 Chronicles 20, God instructed the singers to lead the way as the army marched toward the enemy which lead to their ultimate victory. In 1 Samuel 16:23 David’s harp playing soothed the troubled spirit of the king.
With all this in mind, we should sing often with our children. Don’t worry if you are like me and can’t carry a tune . . . God nor your children will care. It will bless God, your children, and you. God has designed children to give Him the best praise and you as their parent get to have a part in that as you guide them to sing. (Psalm 8:2 Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk, and silence atheist babble.)
Here are a few examples of songs that you can sing to familiar tunes. One mother recently wrote me that she was learning to make up songs each day with her children…what fun! Let’s all keep singing
Blow, Blow, Blow the Wind (Psalm 147:18)
(tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
Blow, blow, blow the wind
Gently through the trees
God causes His wind to blow
How I like the breeze
A Helper I Will Be(1 Corinthians 3:9)
(tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
A helper I will be
A helper I will be
I will help my mommy
A helper I will be
Be Ready to Share (1 Timothy 6:18)
(tune of 3 Blind Mice)
Be ready to share
Be ready to share
It’s more fun when we share our toys
So let’s share with the girls and the boys
Be ready to share
Be ready to share
It is Better to Give Than Receive (Ephesians 4:28, 2Cor. 9:7)
(tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb)
It is better to give than receive
Give than receive
Give than receive
It is better to give than receive
Giving makes us glad
Brush Your Teeth
(tune of Row, Row Your Boat)
Brush, Brush, Brush your teeth
Brush your teeth each day
Then you’ll have a pretty smile
And healthy teeth to stay
