SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Putting scripture verses and concepts to music is a wonderful way to remember God’s promises and truth. It is amazing to be with someone who has started experiencing dementia or confusion. They will still remember a song they once knew and sang years before. The compartments of the human mind provide a special place for the storage and recollection of music including the joy and emotions those songs always brought. Someone may not remember their name or yours…but if you start to sing "Amazing Grace," they will likely sing along with you!
There have been many Bible verses, Bible Stories or passages that have been set to musical scores. When music makes an emotional connection with a person, they will begin to sing it often and usually they cannot get the song out of their head!!
In 1973, Karen Lafferty, composed music to some of the Bible verses in Jesus’ teaching recorded in His sermon on the mount, to His followers. The verses that Karen wrote music for are found in the gospel of Matthew chapter 6. The title of the song is well known as…SEEK YE FIRST.
Karen was born in New Mexico on the 29th of February, 1948…a leap year! She began performing during her teenage years in musical groups ranging from folk and rock groups to marching band, stage band, orchestra, choir and solo performances. She received her formal musical training at Eastern New Mexico University, earning a Bachelor of Music Education. Recognizing how popular music was and how it was very useful for Christian outreach, she started Musicians for Missions in 1981 under the ministry of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). This organization purposed to train young Christian musicians for mission tours where they could perform live shows.
Karen has composed many praise and worship songs as well as several songs for children. Her well-known scripture song, SEEK YE FIRST was first released on a 1974 Maranatha Music compilation. It is included in most church hymn books today. When you sing Karen’s song, don’t even try to get it out of your head. Just leave it there and sing it often!