Wild WonderSýnishorn

THE SONG OF NATURE

Psalm 19:1-2 says this:

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

What a beautiful perspective! We are assured that, “since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” (Romans 1:20).

The natural world still has something profoundly beautiful to say. What are the details of this declaration? What might glory sound like? What language does nature sing in, and how might listening to its song affect us?

It’s no wonder that “sound bathing” has become a popular form of meditation sought by those wanting to retune their bodies to more calming and healing frequencies. Immersing ourselves in the sonic landscapes of Earth, such as the sea breaking on the shore, can be an incredible form of therapy because the sounds of nature have the power to gently drown out the noise of our busy world and all its man-made devices. The wavelengths in the wild invite us to reconnect with our own bodies, our friends, and our Creator.

Nature’s soundscape invites us into a peaceful calm. It doesn’t need us to do; it allows us to simply be. It doesn’t require anything from us other than to pay attention and receive. It gives our souls rest from all the annoying alerts and audible assaults that violate our peace on a daily basis.

The song of nature is the universal and unending soundtrack that has been playing long before us and will certainly continue to resound long after our generation has finished its last song. Let’s lean in and listen.

Take a few minutes to listen to the natural world. (Nature sounds are available on all major streaming platforms. If you are able, go outside or get away from the city to listen to the real thing!) What types of nature sounds are you drawn to the most? A waterfall? Gentle rain? A thundering storm? Birdsong in a forest? A big surf breaking near a beach? Let the natural soundscape have its restorative effect on your spirit.