The common nightingale is an ordinary-looking bird which sings at all times, even at night-time, which is very unusual. They are so named precisely because of this tendency to sing at night as well as during the day; some think that nocturnal song is likely to serve to attract a mate. Nightingales sing even more loudly in urban or near-urban environments in order to overcome the background noise.
The thrush nightingale has a different song, having a range of whistles, trills and clicks and includes a flute-like “pioo” with a pure bell-like tone and is rather solemn as compared to that of the nightingale.
Matt Redman spoke about the nightingale at a concert in Huddersfield last night, reminding us that we are called to praise God at all times, not just when things are going well. So many of his songs reflect this theme (‘Blessed Be Your Name’, ‘You Never Let Go’, ‘Louder’, for example) and one song on his new album takes this theme further and reminds us that God Himself gives us ‘songs in the night’.
‘God, You can tell the waves be still,
Tell the ocean roar to pass.
Lord, until it does,
I’ll wait here.
God, You can part the raging sea,
Bring the miracle I need.
Lord, until it comes,
I’ll wait here
And I will sing
Songs in the night,
Praise in the storm
You’re God in it all,
And I will stand
I’ll be still and know,
Whatever may come
You’re God in it all.
And so when I am in the storm,
Lord, the storm is not in me.
You will be my peace.
I’ll wait here.
I’ll wait here.
Your love
Your love
Won’t leave me in the shadows
Oh Your love
Your love
Forever by my side
I will not be afraid
You are my song in the night.’ (‘Songs In The Night’, Matt Redman)
You can listen to the songs sung last night by clicking on the titles below.
Kari Jobe sang:
After an interval, the following were sung: