Music and Poetry (2)
The Poetry of Catherine Baird
Catherine Baird was a gifted writer and, as a Salvation Army Officer, was used in that capacity for Salvation Army publications. In addition, she wrote poetry and song words, some of which are in the Salvation Army Songbook. These devotional thoughts are linked to some of her songs.
2 Chronicles 5:11-14 New International Version (NIV)
11 The priests then withdrew from the Holy Place. All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions. 12 All the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. 13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:
“He is good;
his love endures forever.”
Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.
Devotional Thoughts by Lt. Colonel Diane O’Brien
From the earliest time, people have used instruments and voices to praise God. The first mention of music in the Bible is in Genesis chapter 4.
And in Psalms we still have the words of the ancient songs sung by the people of Israel, with names of musicians and composers recorded alongside the songs.
In 1 Chronicles, we read more detail of musical events. Chapter 25 tells of King David and the commanders of the army organizing the musicians. There were 288 of them, in 24 groups, taking turns in serving.
And in 2 Chronicles, chapter 5, we read of the great celebration as, led by Solomon, they dedicated the newly built temple.
Apart from the musicians playing stringed instruments and cymbals, 120 priests, dressed in ceremonial linen, all played trumpets. These were not rams horns, but trumpets worked in silver, about 18 inches long and slightly thicker than a flute. What a sound that must have been!
Then, accompanied by all those musicians, the people sang. “He is good; His love endures forever!”
The sound of musicians praising God with loud anthems is glorious. Let’s look forward to the day when all the musicians can play together again. Trumpets, cymbals, strings, tambourines and voices – all joining in the loud anthems.
For, God is good; His love endures forever!
We thank Thee for the fruitful years,
The sacred gains of toil and tears,
For mighty works through weakness wrought,
For souls who led in deed and thought;
They followed Jesus in the light
And their loud anthems thrilled the night.
Catherine Baird (1895 – 1984)
From The Salvation Army Songbook – #359 verse 2
Played by the five North American Staff Bands – Long Beach, May 2016