Music Lifts My Tired Soul

Sometimes after the ruckus of running a million different directions and not feeling like I really accomplished anything, my soul is tired.

Sometimes after hearing of tragic news near and abroad and acknowledging humanity’s pains and sufferings, my soul is tired.

Sometimes after hearing of the devastating and often horrific trials people are enduring, my soul is tired.

Sometimes after adulting day in and day out, my soul is tired.

Sometimes after repeatedly putting off the things I want to do to do what others need, my soul is tired.

Sometimes after running too fast down a road that’s too long, my soul is tired.

Sometimes when I haven’t been outside in nature enough, my soul is tired.

Sometimes my soul is just tired.

My soul felt so tired today. As I paused to reclaim and replenish, I noticed the music in my mind.  Do you have a constant flow of music in your mind?  When I pause to listen, I generally do have music playing in my mind.  Sometimes it’s loud and I don’t have pause to hear it, but today I did.

The Pilgrim’s Chorus Hallelujah for Evermore

And I smiled as a favorite chorus moved to the front of my mind.  This song’s lifted my soul hundreds of times.  I’ve blown out headphones listening to this song at full blast.  (I’m deaf in one ear, so immersing myself in music requires more oomphf.)

Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser, “The Pilgrim’s Chorus/Chor der Pilger,” 1845.

With joy, my home, I now behold thee,
and gladly greet thy smiling meadows;
now I lay down my pilgrim’s staff,
for, submissive to God, I have made my pilgrimage.
By atonement and repentance I have made my peace
with the Lord, to whom my heart bows down,
who has crowned my remorse with blessing,
the Lord to whom I raise my song.
The grace of salvation is granted to the penitent,
who shall enter into the peace of heaven!
Hell and death cannot affright him,
therefore will I praise God all the days of my life.
Halleluja for evermore!

With these truths of Jesus Christ’s atonement and salvation available and known, how can I languish? I’m making my pilgrimage and I’ve made my peace. Therefore I will praise Him all the days of my life. And that, somehow, magically, replenishes and lifts my soul.

It Is Well With My Soul

Another song flitted through as I thought about my tired soul. “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul.”

“It Is Well With My Soul” by Ho­ra­tio G. Spaf­ford, 1873.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Be Thou My Vision

Moving from my ability and responsibility to reinvigorate my tired soul, another song quickly offered perspective. “Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart!” Grace lifts from the lower to a higher with a power I don’t possess.  The Savior invigorates and enlivens.  He is the Way.  I don’t have to do it by myself. In fact, I cannot do it.

And so as I abide in Him and He in me, His vision becomes mine. And I rise.

“Be Thou My Vision/Rop tú mo baile or Rob tú mo bhoile” attributed to St Dallán Forgaill, 6th or 8th century.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

 

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

 

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

 

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

And after that reflection, pause, and perspective adjustment, my soul is invigorated.

What are ways you find ways to invigorate, enliven, and reawaken your soul?