Since its inception on the last Tuesday of May in 2012, Tuesday's Musical Notes has attempted to entertain, inform, and enlighten our readers with some perspectives on music that they have never considered. We have found this at times to be both incredibly enjoyable, and intensely challenging as we have wanted to take beloved songs and interpret them in new ways. It is my extreme hope to never offend with our reinterpretations, but we think it is important to consider the source of all music and make sure that the inspiration that artists are given to write songs is attributed appropriately. We confess to our bias towards specific decades of music and to a foundation by which we use to interpret lyrics, titles, and sometimes even the tunes that serve as the soundtrack to this poetry.
Following on the heels of last week's break-up song, Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Throwing it All Away" (Genesis), comes the interpretation of love lost by Sting and The Police. Yes, there is a theme developing here at The Notes, but we will attempt to not be morose about it all. (And no the theme isn't mine. My happy 35-year marriage continues to be happy... she's more exceptional every day and we just celebrated grandbaby #4 being born!!!)
In fact, Sting has gone on record to say that "King of Pain" was written in the presence of his current wife Trudie. Sting was in Jamaica recovering from his previous breakup and told Trudie..."Look, there's a little black spot on the sun today". And there's a pause. I said, 'That's my soul up there." (original source: Sting.com: THE POLICE: King Of Pain, 12. Sting.com. Retrieved 3 April 2014, from the article: "King of Pain" - wikipedia.org )
"King of Pain" peaked at #3 for The Police (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Roxanne" (The Police)) on the US Billboard Hot 100. It has been covered by Alanis Morissette (1999's MTV Unplugged) as well as the band Mudvayne (2007's By the People, For the People). Lady Gaga has performed the song as a duet with Sting and Weird Al Yankovic parodied the song ("King of Suede") on his 1984 album "Weird Al Yankovic" in 3-D.
The song details the struggles of the broken-hearted and the viewpoint of one who is going through a sad time in their lives. Almost everyone has experienced the hyperbole expressed in the emotional lyrics. Interestingly enough, the One who created music has experienced some of the same sadness as His people, who were called by His name, rejected His leadership to settle for earthly Kings.
"Give us a king so we can be like the other nations!" cried the children of Israel. They had just come through the period of the Judges (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Here Come the Judge" (Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham)) and they were done with the pseudo-religious leadership from those judges.
As the last judge, Samuel came along and traveled the nation serving as prophet and arbiter for disputes. But even Samuel was not good enough for the nation as his sons were corrupt and discredited. The desire to be like everyone else in the world would not be squelched by Israel. This desire would be the beginning of their downfall as the first King, Saul, disobeyed God and did not repent.
The second King of Israel was an adulterer, murderer. His family was the definition of dysfunction. Perhaps you've heard of King David? David is still revered in Israel as the greatest commander and king the nation has ever had. The difference between David and Saul? David did repent to God about his adultery and murder. (the dysfunctionality of his family...well that became an issue as time went on) And get this...God forgave David! So you think you've done too much bad stuff that God would never forgive you? I don't think so.
So we come to David's boy, Solomon. While Saul's kingship was fraught with difficulties due to Saul's disobedience, depression, and paranoia, Solomon truly would become the first of Israel's Kings of Pain.
Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. The question becomes very quickly, why did Solomon surround himself with so many folks who would lead him away from worshipping the One True God? Well, we go back to the fact that the nation of Israel wanted to be like all the nations around them. 1 Samuel 8:4-5 NASB/AMP/KJV The problem? Israel was called apart from all other nations when God made the covenant with Abraham. They were His people and were supposed to be His "peculiar" (as some translations put it) people. By having a king, they lost some of their peculiarity and specialness. But back to Solomon.
Solomon had close to 1000 wives. Now before we go laying the blame on all these women, we must first realize something very important. The wives of Solomon were only doing what they knew how to do. Simply put, they were women who had no relationship with God acting like women who had no relationship with God. One quick lesson for believers. Don't hold those folks who are not saved to a standard they don't understand. In Solomon's case, he was the servant of the One True God and yet he didn't lead his household and instruct his wives in the ways of God. Please don't get me wrong. Tuesday's Musical Notes does not, nor will ever, support polygamy of any kind. Yet, cultural norms aside, Solomon had a huge opportunity to bring these women to God. Instead, the adverse became true. These foreign women, who Solomon had married for political gain and acceptance (and so Israel could be more like other nations), drew Solomon and thus the nation away from serving, worshipping, and relying on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Solomon's poor decisions regarding his wives and their worship, caused Solomon to be the first King of Pain. Unfortunately for the nation of Israel...there were many more. Yup, you've got much to look forward to here at The Notes!!!
So what? Well, Solomon's example today proves a couple of things. Be solid in your worship of God. To do that, be in His Word as often as you possibly can. Study the Bible, listen to sound preaching, surround yourself with folks who can encourage and edify you as you walk with God. Guard your ears to keep them from being tickled by the false teaching of the enemy. Test what you hear against the benchmark of the Bible for its truthfulness.
Also, for those friends and relatives who don't serve God, be careful to not place on them the same standards God has placed on you. You are the peculiar one, for the time being, they are not. Love them where they are, tell them about Jesus, then allow Holy Spirit to do His work. Most importantly, don't give up on them. God won't. Commit to praying that Holy Spirit will draw them. Remember no one is so bad that God can't change them. Be a vigilant advocate for them by prayer and love.
Make sure that you do nothing to be a King of Pain in their lives. Be truthful and honest, but not mean and spiteful. Be there to encourage and guide them as they begin a walk with Jesus. Answer their questions or find resources to answer their questions. But most importantly do what Jesus said was the greatest commandment: Love God and love everybody else. (The Gospel of Jesus according to the tax collector Matthew, chapter 22, verses 36-40 NASB/AMP/KJV)
Today, maybe you don't have a relationship with God. Today, we are figuratively hoping that you'll end this reign of the evil one in your life. Today, we lovingly implore you to read the tax collector's version of the life of Jesus: Matthew NASB/AMP/KJV or perhaps a physician's perspective on Jesus relates better to you: Luke NASB/AMP/KJV. Maybe you need a fisherman's view of who Jesus was: John NASB/AMP/KJV Or maybe, you just need to hear an evangelist tell you about Jesus: Mark NASB/AMP/KJV Today, as you read the story of Jesus' by which you relate the most, listen. Listen for God as Holy Spirit. He will guide you as He draws you to a restorative relationship with God.
Regardless of the vantage point, Jesus' story is true. If there's a little black spot on your sun today, or if you've stood here before in the pouring rain with the world turning circles runnin' round your brain, please understand that Jesus is waiting to release you from the king of pain...
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by loving You,
randy
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