The origins of the word lyric trace back to poetry that was to be sung with a lyre. As a lover of words, I have long been intrigued by well-crafted lines of poetry and song lyrics written in everything from biblical Psalms to rock anthems of the 20th century. The song “Hallelujah” that hails from the 1980’s transports me on a philosophical pilgrimage that can result in a different destination every time I hear it. I’ve often pondered the line about “A secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord.” What chord was it, and could I learn how to play it?
Life is littered with misconceptions–I’ve often misunderstood something as simple as a lyrical line in a song and later discovered the actual words and a completely different meaning than I’d originally thought. For example, for years I thought another line in “Hallelujah” was “the barefoot king composing ‘Hallelujah.’” It made sense to me because it’s referencing the psalmist David who’d spent years as a shepherd, and I’d imagined he must’ve been barefoot much of the time. When I later learned that he was “the baffled king composing,” I embarked on another pilgrimage of thought–I could identify with so many of David’s psalms, and it made sense that he was often baffled, not just by life itself, but also by the overwhelming concept that the God of the universe cares for us (Psalm 8).
I had the misconception for the longest time that my purpose in life was linked to the idea that I could do something in my own power that was worth God’s approval–that I could play a chord that would please Him, so to speak. It didn’t occur to me that He was at work doing something much more in-depth than I could ever imagine. He is actually more interested in me–to mold me into what He wants me to be in my relationship with Him–not so that I can do something for Him. It’s still baffling to me–seeing myself as important to God, as one that He loves regardless of my capacity to please Him. Ironically, being baffled helps me to understand David’s perspective in the Psalms as well as appreciate the beauty of the lines he wrote.