Influence of Music on Human Personality

Introduction: The Profitability of Scripture and the Setting of Elisha's Prophecy

0:06 I would encourage you to open your own Bibles to 2 Kings, chapter 3, the third chapter of 2 Kings.

0:18 And as was announced this morning, our attention will be directed particularly to verse 15. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.

0:40 2 Timothy 3 and verse 16 is a very familiar text to many of us. In that particular text of God's Word, we are told that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, or more literally, all Scripture is God-breathed and is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Now in that statement, the Apostle, namely, tells us something concerning the nature of Scripture. It is God-breathed, that is, it comes from the mind and heart of God with all the authority of God.

1:26 But the Apostle tells us something about the practical function of Scripture. It is God-breathed revelation, profitable for teaching, that is, what we are to know about God and ourselves and life. And then with that teaching, it is profitable. It is God-breathed revelation, profitable for teaching, that is, what we are to know about God and ourselves and life.

1:48 And therefore, in our considerations of the life and ministry of Elisha, which presently find us in 2 Kings chapter 3, we have sought in our study of the passage to understand what there is.

2:03 I am in an aspect of the presence of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah.

3:37 I would not look to see thee. And he said,

3:46 The fundamental lack in the order in verse 5, but believing that the Scriptures are breathed out, the writers did not write alone under the impulse of their deliverance.

4:29 God, in the midst of him, and if it is possible for reproof, for correction,

5:03 first of all, your minds with three kings, that is, the king of Israel and tribes,

5:27 and the king of Edom with his army, to come up and launch his wilderness,

5:49 the account in verse, and the king of Edom, and they made a search, seven days, seven days' journey. Oh, water for the host, the king of Israel's armies,

6:20 three men of tremendous importance.

8:45 He becomes aware of the image of God.

12:35 You can imagine something to hear a word from Jehovah. And as is the image of the living setting that is outlined for us in the passage.

13:20 Having tried to give you a feel for that setting, consider,

The Minstrel and the Hand of the Lord

13:30 we read that Elisha gives a command, not a wandering troubadour, or a singer in which he comes and shekels to make a living, but we think of a minstrel in terms of perhaps one of the songs I believe in the Mikado, one of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, a wandering minstrel man I am of stitches I think,

14:14 or rags or something, I forgot what the actual language was, but to us the word minstrel has a connotation that is not quite what we have in the passage. The word in the Hebrew has as its root meaning to strum, or to beat, or to sing. But the verse in the Hebrew contains the word minstrel. In the Hebrew it is used as a word that is not quite the same as the word which was used in the first verse.

14:55 The word minstrel is used when a man who is a man of your age, he is playing with the things of the world, he is not playing with the things of the world. That he has to play with it. But it is used as a word that is not necessarily a word that you have to use, but it is used as a word that is used to describe the activity of your life.

15:30 to one who, upon Saul, prophesied in the midst of the house, and David played with his hand.

15:53 Now, this is the same verbening, the end of the second place, as we look at the details,

16:38 the minstrels, how long an amazing thing happened to Elisha.

16:52 And it came to when heaven had suddenly enveloped the hand in some horror movie. No, no.

17:29 Gresham used elsewhere in the word of God to describe one of his servants. The same construction is used in 1 Kings 18, 46.

17:46 It is said in that text that the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of the run of some 20 miles. And there's no indication that Elijah was a marathon runner who ran 5 or 10 miles a day, 6 days a week, to be in shape against such a day. In the context, the Lord means,

18:27 the hand of the Lord revealed, resulted,

18:29 hand of the Lord.

19:32 In that, someone might desire them to prophesy, or, to the prophets, you have this,

19:53 the hand of the Lord,

20:02 no prophet, someone wanted him to prophesy. The fact that these three kings come and say, didn't God again and again condemn the false prophets, you see, who would take on all the semblance of a divine athletus, and sometimes in their dress and in their manner of speaking, they try to imagine that God had come and given them a word, when in reality,

20:41 I did not send them. And that concept is very clearly on the face of this,

20:48 when the minstrel, it is at that precise point, that the hand of the Lord, its origin in the living God, and the prophets,

21:09 in front of the Lord,

21:39 positively.

21:57 It was not really the mouthpieces of highly culted were, nurture that sensitivity, then you could spring, the benefits,

22:40 you have nothing of that nature here. You see, there is nothing to on him, sin coming from within,

23:12 sin of kind and spirit, reminding you of that setting. The feelings of apprehension,

23:55 for the armies that all around him are manifesting,

23:59 spare as in that state of mind and spirit,

24:49 not so in itself, as nonetheless, separate his own spirit from the impulses of, that by the playing of the minstrel, his own mind and spirit, is quieted, brought to a silent, tranquil anticipation, and in that sense, the hand of the Lord comes upon him, and the word of the Lord is imparted.

The Powerful Influence of Music on Human Personality

25:33 Well, we spoke so much for the setting of the incident, the specific facts of the incident, now, in the third place, what are the significant lessons of this incident? Now, in a very interesting and helpful sermon on this text, at this point of the text, a very helpful point of the text, practical application respect to Christians at their disposal and then he opens it up into many many areas he suggests that though Elisha could not create the wind of the spirit to receive

26:16 and he did so and then he goes on to draw out that application and he says Elisha like his predecessors speaking of the other prophets who used musical instruments only used a natural means for self into readiness for receiving supernatural health and then he goes on to exhort God speak he speaks of many practical matters I commend the sermon to you it's in volume 27 of the metropolitan tabernacle pulpit that's available in our church as well as in our

26:54 academy library now I want to bypass that very legitimate realm of application and I want to focus more upon another area that I announced this morning namely the powerful influence of music upon the human personality here in the text for us amidst warfare between nations that involves the deepest of God's redemptive

27:26 designs God records the playing of a mince brings it into the closest and to the worst before us a wonderful demonstration of the powerful influence of music upon the human personality now why do I zero in upon this point of

27:54 application while bypassing others well for several reasons let me give them to you number one we live in a day when we are all bombarded with the sounds of music particularly powerful instrumental music and this music rarely has a neutral influence upon us in our Next, it was instrumental music that came between an agitated, excited, tumultuous spirit of the man of God receiving the word of God.

28:37 And because you and I live in a day in which, by virtue of tape recorders, record players, and all of the other means to constantly blare music, it is that that music is not an amoral issue. God has so constituted us that it has a profound impact upon the human personality. And if this were the only passage in the word of God that seemed to intimate that,

29:17 I would be a bit reluctant to spend the remainder of the time sitting on that one point of application. But surely, if you have any knowledge of scripture, you know that this is not the only place. Perhaps the incident that has come to the minds of many of you already is the one to which a brief allusion, which was made earlier in our study tonight, the incident of David's playing in the presence of this man's soul, who is under the influence of an evil spirit from God. And one of the most amazing statements in all of scripture is found in 1 Samuel 16 and verse 23.

30:01 And it came to pass when the influence of music upon the human spirit of Saul, 1 Samuel 16 and verse 23. And it came to pass when the influence of music upon the human spirit of Saul, that when in common grace the music had calmed his human spirit, so that it was no longer a fit dwelling place for this evil spirit, the evil spirit of the Lord actually left. That's an amazing thing.

30:43 That the state of the soul conditioned by music made it either fitting or unfitting for that soul to be the very dwelling place of the Lord. Or to be so uncomfortable for a demon that he leaves. That's an amazing statement, but it's there. And we could bring into play many other lines of biblical truth relative to this one great principle illustrated in our text tonight.

31:15 The powerful influence of music upon the human personality. So that's my first reason for dealing with the subject. It is a powerful influence. We are all exposed to it.

A Pastoral Challenge: Does Your Music Prepare You for God's Word?

31:28 My second great reason is intensely pastoral. Whatever is in the interest of your souls, should be a matter of pastoral concern. And since music has a positive influence for good or for evil, I cannot be silent upon this issue and be true to my trust as a shepherd of souls. Now, in seeking to open up this area of application, I am not going to attempt to play the part of a musicologist, for I am not a musicologist.

32:09 A musicologist is a man, who's given himself or a woman to the study of music as a science. Furthermore, and I want to assure you young people here, I am not going to take the role of an irrational ranter and just stand up here and, quote, blast your music. I hope you all know me well enough to know whatever else I am, I'm not an irrational ranter who just stands up here and works up a lather over nothing. Nor am I going to take the role of a legalistic lord over your conscience, because that's a role which God has assigned to no man.

32:45 I desire to do one very fundamental thing, that is simply to bring to bear upon your conscience some of the perspectives of this portion of the Word of God, so that you may honestly reflect upon those principles as they relate to your own life. And as I wrestled with how to do this, I came to the conclusion the best way I could do it is to ask you one very simple, pointed question, and then help you to answer that question. And the question is this. Does the music you generally listen to render you better prepared to receive and cherish the Word of God,

33:26 or does it dispose you to be insensitive and rebellious to the Word of God? You can get the question. Does the music you generally listen to, of whatever kind, of whatever kind, does the music you generally listen to render you better to receive the Word of God and to cherish it, or does it dispose you to be insensitive and rebellious to see this question in the area of supreme importance?

34:10 Your salvation depends upon your reception of the Word of God, not by direct revelation as Elisha, but certainly by a thoughtful, earnest believing acceptance of that Word. James says, Receive with meekness the engrafted Word which is able to save your souls. In the parable of the sower, those who receive the Word on good ground, it says of them, These are they who, when they hear the Word of God, will not be saved unless you receive the Word of God, and therefore,

34:52 with indifference, cancel damnation. As the children of God, how important is our assimilation, the assimilation of the Word, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby. And therefore, as a believer, any kind of music that indisposes me to assimilate the Word of God as my meat and drink

35:34 is an enemy. Music then, as we've already seen in our text, does have a powerful influence. In our text, it was an influence for good, but often it is an influence for evil. The good of the Word, the good of music is recognized in Scripture as we've already intimated in this first Samuel passage.

Historical Recognition of Music's Beneficial Effects

36:02 Its beneficial effects are illustrated in history. I came across some very interesting things in my background reading. Some quotes of some of the old Greek philosophers. You know what their prescription was for a philosopher when his head was getting too heavy, with too much thinking about philosophy?

36:19 It was to take down a flute and play it, and sing songs. Furthermore, the Greeks said that music was of great benefit to soothe the passions, to heal mental diseases, to check amongst the people. The tremendous best scene in history. I recently read Cornelius Ryan's account of Normandy, The Longest Day.

36:52 It's a fascinating account. And one could not help but read the account of some highland troops who when they came upon those pockmarks up and down the beach and the beat of the bagpipes in the ears of those highland battalions

37:19 have so that wed with you

Evaluating Rock Music: Climate, Behavior, and Lyrics

39:13 just as what I hope is a reasonable adult. Now I know you can't generalize. 1950s rock and roll Elvis Presley. And I'm also aware that there are shades and degrees.

39:40 I'm fully aware of that. And therefore I am speaking of that musical form which is characterized by that hard, driving, repeated common denominator of rock music. And all I want to do in helping you to answer that larger question, does the music you listen to better prepare you to receive and cherish the word or does it dispose you to reject and to despise it? I want you to honestly answer in your own mind three very fundamental simple questions concerning rock music.

40:23 Question number one. What is the general climate of a rock concert? I don't got a rock. I hope you don't.

40:35 But you see it's acknowledged by every rock performer that you do not understand rock music unless you see and feel and experience rock in a rock concert. It is in a rock concert in that community of musical sympathy that rock music comes to its own intended end. I didn't say in every single incident. I said what is the general climate of a rock concert.

41:14 I think there is but one set of words to describe it. It is lawless frenzy. Some of you saw the recent television production tracing out the history of rock music. I forced myself to watch about half of it.

41:33 And in an interview with Nick Jagger who as many of you know was next in line in the development of rock music and the rock culture after the Beatles, he was asked this, when is a rock concert a success? And you know what his answer was? I consider a rock concert a success when it has turned into total madness. End quote.

42:11 Now that is not some stop-shirted, near-sighted

42:16 shame of mind in which the word of God

43:00 is received and cherished. You see with the prophet of God it was simply a spirit ruffled and engaged many things and rendered him unfettered. The word from God to receive the word is the whole general climate of a rock concert.

43:43 It is lawless. And I think you would admit that if you want to be honest. Oh I know you can provide the exception. The exception only stands out because it is the exception.

44:01 Why is it that these that are brought in for a rock concert are a kind of musical form in a concert? Why? Why do you have to deal with those facts? If you choose a municipality that has to provide police protection when there is a rock concert in town.

44:41 Ask them what is the ratio provided? How many police they had to provide when the high school just did the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance Friday and Saturday night. Ask them what they would provide if the same number of people were coming for a rock concert in the same auditorium. Because you know the answer already, don't you?

45:14 Lawless friends. Alright, second question. What are the general behavior patterns of rock performers and those who imbibe the so-called rock culture? What are the general behavior patterns of rock performers and those who imbibe the so-called rock culture?

45:39 Are they not for the most part I know there are exceptions but for the most part do they not make unembarrassed claims that all the way from pop and everything else snorting cocaine and all the rest that that's a part of their total lifestyle?

46:09 They're not even embarrassed about it. When they wrote up recently in Time magazine the king of so-called country rock they even went right down to telling how much he imbibes of drugs as a daily habit. And I'm not reading something into history when I tell you how Janis Joplin died. The facts are there in Jimi Hendrix the facts are there.

46:44 You go down the line and you find you see that the whole basic lifestyle is one which is oriented to the destruction of the mind and its rationality. Furthermore promiscuity like sex is for the most part an integral element of the lifestyle of the rock performers and those who imbibe the rock culture. Furthermore an external appearance that bespeaks disorientation lawlessness utter rebellion against every cultural standard of decency is the general hallmark.

47:28 I know there are exceptions but generally speaking all you need to do is stand in front of the rock section in any record shop and look at the jackets and you'd think you were looking at people who had had their pictures taken in a madhouse and their appearance is a reflection of their music and their music and their music and their music and their music and their music and their music and their music and their music and their music and their music

48:10 and their music in turn is a reflection of the state of the soul. That's my second question, what other general behavior patterns of rock performers and those who imbibe the rock culture. The presence of illicit drug traffic at any rock concert again is a common fact, you read reports when they write up after a concert and they speak of the air being heavy with the stench of marijuana and the cops don't even try to bust people they just try to keep them from busting each other's skulls

48:43 Question number three. What is the general drift of the lyrics of rock music? It says whatsoever things are pure, lovely, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. I have subjected myself to the pain of both listening to and reading, whenever it's available, the printed lyrics of rock music.

49:12 So don't accuse me, some of you who are defensive, don't accuse me of reading something in. I've listened and tortured my ears and my soul. I've looked and read and tortured my eyes. And the general drift of the lyrics used in conjunction with rock music is irrational, drug-induced gibberish. Some of it is sheer verbal nonsense.

49:44 Much of it is rebellion. Much of it is nihilism. Much of it is a glorification of drugs and of the drug cult. Much of it is lawless sex in which women are treated as things that you bed down and then drop them and leave them.

50:11 Much of it is just the expression of total disorientation to life and to reality. And that's open for anyone to see. Now it's not an accident that the lyrics are found in conjunction with rock music. What were the lyrics of the popular music even 30, 40 years ago?

50:35 Well, most of the lyrics had to do with a naive, romantic view of male-female relationship. But at least there was an element of common grace that there was something noble about male-female relationship. At least they reflected some remnants of common grace. In which a man said, albeit in a very unrealistic, romantic way, She passed by and I saw her, and having seen her, I can think of no one else until I die.

51:10 You see, there's something noble about that. It captures an element of the committal for life. It wasn't, I saw you, I got in heat for you, I bedded down with you, now you go your way and I'll go the other way. Listen to the words. You don't, you absorb far more than you realize.

Rock Music as 'Hell Music' and an Enemy to the Soul

51:42 Now I ask every thinking. Man, woman, boy or girl in this place tonight. If you face that larger question, does the music you listen to make your soul more receptive to the word of God or indisposed to the word of God? How in the name of anything that is rational can you face these other three questions with respect to rock music and say you have any concern for your soul?

52:08 If rock music is an integral part of your life, I ask you to face the question. What is the general climate of a rock concert? Lawless frenzy. And the goal of the instruments over one another's back.

52:50 And when people from the audience are clawing at the performers, total madness. My friend, do you know what total madness is in its ultimate expression? As hell. Wailing, gnashing teeth. Why?

53:07 Nothing beautiful. Nothing sane. Nothing lovely. Nothing rational.

53:16 And that's why I call most of that music hell music. Because it reflects the very spirit of hell, which is lawless. Face that second question. What are the general behavior patterns of rock performers and those involved in rock culture?

53:41 It is not just what we would call a common manifestation of human sinfulness. It is an aggravated expression of the highest forms. Or the lowest forms of total lawlessness. Blowing the mind.

53:59 That precious gift into which we are to receive the word. And with which we are to reflect upon God in ourselves and life. In the light of the scriptures. We're to love God with all the heart, soul, mind and strength.

54:18 And God cannot be loved in a mind that is blown under us. And third question. What is the general drift of the lyrics of rock music? Well you see in all of those things it is quite obvious that this musical form is exerting a very profoundly evil influence upon this generation.

Rock Music as a Barrier to Receiving God's Word for Young People

54:44 And I'm convinced there are some of you dear young people, and this is why I've preached as I've preached. God is witness to how much you are on the hearts of your parents, your elders and others. We pray for you. We yearn for you.

55:01 There are times we share. And down in your heart of hearts you know we have nothing but your good on our hearts. And as I ask the question, Lord, what is it? What is it from the human side that is keeping your word from taking hold of the hearts of so many of our young people?

55:23 And I'm grateful to God. And I want you young people to know that. I'm grateful that you give to me a respectful hearing. Not sitting there snapping bubble gum and looking out the window.

55:37 And I'm grateful for that. And I say that. I say that with utmost sincerity. And that's what makes me even more perplexed.

55:44 I say, Lord, what is acceptable to the word? It's not taking any root. Somewhere between the falling upon the ear and the implantation of the heart. And as I've observed you young people, with many of you I'm convinced this is one great part of the answer.

56:15 It's your will. It's the effect of the word of God upon your heart. And listen to me.

56:26 Those thoughts which has as its end.

57:33 Sanity of accepting the fact that accountable to God. Under his wrath. Wonder of wonders. An object of his sincere overtures of mercy.

Rock Music as the 'Glue' of Peer Relationships

57:53 To forsake your sin. The Christ. Am I saying if you willfully deliberately turn your back upon your addiction to rock music you'll be saved? No.

58:08 You see Elisha could not create the word of the Lord. It had to come. Call a minstrel. To put him in a frame of mind fit to receive the word of God.

58:22 You can't regenerate your own hearts young people. Man in your mask can save you. There's another problem isn't there? The rock music in great measure is the glue that holds you together with your peers isn't it?

58:52 The glue that holds you together. I've seen it time and time again. In most of the interaction with teenagers today a record has a place. Either a record's under the arm.

59:05 Which is going to be exchanged with another. Or the record has to be there. Played when you're together. You see your rock music has become the glue that holds you together.

59:17 And for you to say. I am going to turn from that which is not in the best interest of my soul's well. Is to take away the glue that holds you together. What a tragic confession to say that you need the music of hell to hold you in any meaningful human relationship.

59:38 What a tragic confession. God has made us to be held together in bonds so much richer. So much more ennobling. So much more glorifying to him.

59:57 And satisfying to us. That's why some of you young people are counting the cost aren't you? I'm speaking the truth am I not? It is the glue isn't it?

60:10 Not the only glue. But it's pretty much the glue. The same way with many of you. Dabbling in drugs is part of the glue.

60:16 You want to be able to look at one another with a glance. Look at one another with a knowing look. I've done it too. What a tragic thing to confess.

60:30 That's what sin has done to mock you. Make a fool of you. Now the Lord says. Return to sobriety.

60:39 That's the very language used in 2 Timothy. Servant of the Lord must not strive but be patient. In meekness instructing them that oppose themselves. If peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth.

A Rule of Thumb for Christians: Expect the Hand of the Lord

60:54 May I in closing speak a brief word to you. Who are the people of God. I would be greatly surprised if there were not some of you as Christians. Who don't have a form of addiction to rock music.

61:14 Which is counterproductive in your spiritual life. You see there's no sin that Christians cannot fall prey to. And even come into some form of bondage in relationship to that sin. I'd love to say Christians don't fornicate.

61:30 Christians don't lie. Christians don't steal. But the Bible doesn't teach that. The exhortations of the New Testament don't teach that.

61:38 I'd love to say no Christian could allow himself. To let his soul steep in that which is so patently anti-God. But that would not be a realistic perspective would it? Maybe some of you who've been really struggling in your Christian lives.

61:55 Maybe this is the answer. Could it be? Could it be? God says whatsoever things are pure.

62:01 Whatsoever things are lovely. Whatsoever things are of good report. If there be any verse. If there be any virtue.

62:07 If there be any praise. Think on these things. Elisha said bring me a minstrel. And while or when the minstrel played.

62:18 The hand of the Lord came upon him. May I give you a good rule of thumb as a Christian. Deliberately listen to no music. In the listening of which you could not expect.

62:32 The hand of the Lord to come upon you. Is that a good little rule of thumb? I've often felt the hand of the Lord listening. To some of the products.

62:43 Musical products of the works of the masters of a bygone day. I have been filled with a sense of wonder at the harmony and the unity. Of God's universe as expressed in music that was ennobling and uplifting. And the hand of the Lord has come upon me with great refreshing.

63:04 It's one of the means I use to refresh my mind and spirit on Monday. You wonder what I do on my so-called day off. Well I have to make my bills out. Like everyone else.

63:13 And I have to wash the car and change the snow tires. And do all the piddling things that anyone else has to do. But one of the things I try to do for an hour or two. Is to put on the headphones.

63:24 And listen to a minstrel. And time and time again when my spirit has felt the drain. Of the agitation of preaching and ministering on the Lord's day. The hand of the Lord has come while I listen to a minstrel.

63:40 And I'm sure that's the experience of many of you. But my friends. Don't you listen to anything that you could not listen to. While expecting the hand of the Lord to come upon you.

A Call to Reflection and Repentance

63:56 Is that a good little rule of thumb? I hope you'll find it helpful. And I trust that for some of you. Who perhaps have found the things said tonight very agitating and disturbing.

64:09 Don't go away mad and irrational. Go home and think about what has been said. And if you feel anything has been really unfair. Irrational.

64:19 Factual. You come and talk to me. I think I'm reasonable. And if you can demonstrate to me that I have uttered falsehood.

64:27 More than once I've made confessions. Both of my own sin and error from this pulpit. And I'll gladly do it again. But if you cannot demonstrate error or falsehood.

64:38 Then my friend your issues not with me. Or your dealings aren't with me. Your dealings are with the living God. And don't cop out by saying.

64:47 Well you don't understand. Yes it's because I do understand. That I speak so pointedly and clearly. As a shepherd to your soul.

64:55 It is while a minstrel played. That the hand of the Lord came. May God grant. That if you're listening to the devil's minstrel.

65:07 Who fit you to receive an evil spirit. You may repent and flee to Christ. And ask him for the power. To overcome your addiction.

65:17 To that which can only issue. In the destruction of your soul. Christ came to save his people from their sin. Even the sin of addiction.

65:27 Not just a rock music. Any music. That eats at the vitals of your soul. Christ can deliver.

Closing Prayer for Grace and Deliverance

65:37 For that deliverance. Let us pray. Our Father. We are grateful that the scriptures.

65:54 Contain all that we need. For life and godliness. We thank you for the record of this. Minstrel and his place.

66:03 In the history of redemption. We thank you for the many practical lessons. It contains for us living. Several thousands of years.

66:12 After the event. And we pray that the same self. Would write the truth upon our hearts. And give us grace.

66:22 To embrace its implications. We pray now as many of us. Must go into a situation. In work.

66:33 Some in their homes. Others with relationship. Where musical forms that eat at their souls. Are blared into their own ears.

66:42 Through no choice of their own. Give your people grace. Somehow oh Lord. To block out its.

66:51 Negative influence. May their hearts and minds. Be so filled with the word of Christ. That they will be immunized.

67:01 Against the evil influence. Of these other pressures. Have mercy we pray. Particularly upon our young people.

67:10 Who in a very real sense. Must pay a much greater price. Than many of us as adults. Only to embrace.

67:18 The claims of Christ over them. We know the pressure in this area. Is a powerful one. But we thank you that King Jesus.

67:26 Is more powerful. Oh Lord come and plant the flag. Of your gracious triumph. In the hearts.

67:35 Of our young people. Bless now the word. Receive our thanks for your presence. Goodness to us this.

67:44 And may the benediction of that presence. Rest upon us and abide with us. As we leave. We ask in our Savior's name.

67:53 Amen.