September 22, 2026 -- Colossians 3:16, Psalm 148:1-14 -- Called to Praise

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16 

Scripture reading: Psalm 148:1-14

After yesterday’s reflection, some of you might be thinking to yourself, “I’m doing okay with regards to what I look at.” The next important question is, what are you listening to? Any genre of music, in any age, must be examined. You must test the spirits to see if what you’re listening to is undermining or building you up in your faith? My mother recently moved into a new senior’s residence. The music played in the dining room and hallways is rock from the 1970s and ‘80s. It is so odd to see old men and women tapping their feet and nodding to the beat of what used to be radical music. Now it is just muzak. The words and the meaning behind the music we love and listen to frequently, will drill down into us.

Look at the soaring words of Psalm 148. There is the invitation for all of creation, creatures, angels, and all sea life of the great depths to worship the LORD. An aged aunt of mine has trouble remembering many things. However, when a hymn is played, you can see her remembering some of the words, or at least recognizing the tune. It is drawn from some place of memory, and preserves within her a love for her Savior that is otherwise hard to express.

Perhaps a good question to ask your Christian friends is: what music are you listening to? If it is secular, do you realize how much it influences you? If it is Christian music, that will influence you too.

Suggestions for prayer

In prayer make a commitment to God to dedicate your ears to hearing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in thankfulness to God. Inquire of the Lord who among your circle of family and friends might need to be encouraged to evaluate their music choices.