Singing and music have been an integral part of pilgrimage with God from ancient times. The Old Testament temple worship had designated musicians, the songs of David in Psalms are still found on the tongues of pilgrims today.

There are some songs which are for the moment then forgotten while other songs seem to have a special anointing from God on them and last for many years.

Handel's Messiah comes to mind. Charlotte Elliott's song 'Just as I am' was written in 1835 and still speaks powerfully today. As does the song 'Have Thine own way' by Adelaide A Pollard, used frequently in today's worship yet first sung in 1906.

While preparing a sermon from Jeremiah 18 on the Potter and the clay, Presbytarian minister Daniel Iverson had a little verse form in his mind. It came from the description of the work of the potter, breaking, melding, molding, forming the clay into a vessel of beauty.  He wrote:

'Spirit of the living God,

Fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God,

Fall afresh on me.

Although written in 1926 this prayer song is sung by pilgrims to this very day, a song which has a continued touch of God on it.

There are others which readily come to mind as well. However whether old or new, songs and music are precious gifts for the pilgrim way.

Bringing encouragement, assurance, the ability to express worship, deep thoughts and feelings and a way to express joy and gladness let us sing and play with whole hearts.

The singing Community of pilgrimage.