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Reviving Our Souls

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple."

It seems to me this is a time of souls under stress. 

From Lewiston, Maine to the Israel-Hamas war to the Ukraine war and other areas of turmoil across the world, and personal issues, it's a time of souls under stress. 

As an English Lit. major in college I grew to appreciate diverse types of poetry and poets.

My appreciation for Robert Frost lies within the imagery, situations, or events, such as The Mending Wall, which examines the contradiction of cultural and physical boundaries.

However,  I have come to believe hymns are the poetry which give voice to souls under stress.

I have concluded this based on the conviction that music and singing are the voice of the soul and so, together, help release and express the soul under stress. 

Music and singing, then, are a Means of Grace.

The psalms, which were originally designed to be sung employ beautiful imagery, playful poetry, and elegant prayer-petitions.

Contemporary forms of psalms to be sung can be found in the United Methodist Hymnal both in the Psalter section and in other locations, such as Psalm 23 at #734.

Our hope beyond souls under stress lies in Sunday worship as hymns and songs are sung no matter the accompanying instrument.

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