The Lute Untuned

“As a lute that is not played up07t, but hangs by the wally S0071 grows out of order for wajit of use; so, if we do not consta7itly and diligejttly exercise ourselves in godliitess, our hearts grow dead It is the old story of the unused key. It would seem that there is no worse abuse of a good thing than to abstain from its use. While it lies idle it lies ill. Grace must be exercised towards God in devout contemplation, wrestling prayer, or adoring praise; and it must be exercised among men in patience, zeal, charity, and holy example; or, like an arm which has long been bound by a man’s side, it will become withered. Some enemies were left in Canaan for the sole reason that the armies of Israel might not forget the art of war; and we, too, may expect troubles to exercise our graces in conflict, if we do not ourselves exercise them in happier service. The Lord will not allow the inner life of his people to degenerate because of inaction; nor ought we to allow it. Loud calls to energy are sounding forth on every hand. A curse will come upon us, like that invoked upon Meroz of old, if we come not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. To return to our author’s figure. Are we like a lute upon the wall? Are the strings all out of order? Tune us. Lord, and then bring music out of us. Why should a single instrument in the whole concert be silent when the Lord is to be praised. “Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.”

“Be near me, Lord, and tune my notes,

And make them sweet and strong,
To waft thy words to many a heart,

Upon the wings of song.
I know that men will listen,

For my very heart shall sing,
And it shall be thy praise alone,

My glorious Lord and King.”