Misery to Music--Picardy Third

 

Deuteronomy 26:7-10

1 Chronicles 17:11-14

Psalm 30

When I first started research for this series, I googled "What is the saddest chord/key?"  The answer according to several sites was D Minor  I didn't research how well these sites knew their music, but there seemed to be historic agreement that "D Minor is the saddest, darkest and most melancholic key in music".  (professionalcomposers dotcom)  I have no experience in music or music theory (I took piano lessons for a while as a child, and we had a pretty decent music program at my grade school, but that's it.)  But this search led me on the most interesting discovery!  In researching the saddest music, I came across something called a Picardy Third.   It is where  a major chord is written as the final chord of a piece that has mostly been in the minor key.  (wikipedia definition)  The music in the graphic we've been using is an example of a picardy third and it sounds like this. Picardy 3rd  It is known as the world's most hopeful chord.   It's an unusual and unexpected turn for a song that's been in a minor key, then resolves in a major key.  I was so excited to learn this!!  Because that is EXACTLY how I wanted to end this study...by studying examples of God providing a resolution to our lament!!!

Over the last 3 weeks, we've focused on our definition of lament--Crying out to God with a list and returning to praise.  We've glossed over a step in between.  When we come to God with our list, what prompts praise?  Is it always a noticeable resolution?  I think every single one of us could tell of a time we cried out to God with a list, and felt no resolution.  Do we still return to praise?  That's the point of  true, Biblical lament---to bring our sorrow, grief, regret, misery to God and exchange it for hope.    

Let's start with our key verses in Deuteronomy.  We don't have to search to find out what the resolution was--it's right here!!  Israel--the most famous complainers finally doing lament right.  (Although this is just one example--it was a continuous struggle.)   Israel cried out to God with a list; God saw their misery, hardship, and oppression; God rescued them out of Egypt, led them to the Promised Land; they returned with praise in the form of a tithe.

  

King David was not only himself an accomplished musician, he also organized the singers who served in the temple.  He was not afraid to pour out his grief and regret to God alone, and lead others to do the same.  David found his resolution in 1 Chronicles 17:11-14 in the covenant God made with him.  After all of his running, striving, cheating, hiding, dancing--God resolved it!  He has finished David's problem, it is done, there is nothing left to concern himself about.  He will have sons always on the throne, starting with Solomon and ending with Jesus Christ--Son of David, Son of God.  

Both Israel and David brought their misery, grief, regret, and sorrow to God. They sang a lot of songs in a minor key.   They didn't and/or couldn't see any relief, any resolution.  But they came anyway.  Because they knew if there was anyone who could help them, it was God alone.  They hoped.  Not cross your fingers and hope.    But hope as the archaic meaning conveys

--a feeling of trust. They trusted that, no matter how sad, dark, and melancholy their songs were, God was always--always--faithfully, loyally, stubbornly, steadfastly, lovingly waiting with a Picardy Third with their names on it.  💓 In His perfect time.