The Rocks Cry Out

“The whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice […] Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples’…‘I tell you, if these stop speaking, the stones will cry out!’”—Luke 19:37–40 NASB

Hector Berlioz was a freethinker. Born in 1803 in southeastern France, he was by nature skeptical. Yet, as an innovative composer, he knew church music was important and wrote several pieces around Christian themes. Most were commissioned works. There was one notable exception: his Te Deum (which means to God).

Berlioz seems to have written his Te Deum hoping the emperor would order a performance. When there was no order, Berlioz decided to debut the work for the inauguration of a new organ in a church near Paris. He hoped, in vain, that the emperor would attend. Te Deum debuted in April 1855, the only performance in Berlioz’s lifetime.

This magnificent composition requires enormous forces, including an organ, three choirs, and a huge orchestra. Listeners are rewarded with an overwhelming experience, with words focusing on God’s glory, declaring, “We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord … Day by day we magnify Thee.”

Listening to this towering music, it is hard not to think of Jesus’ comment when the Pharisees tried to silence the crowds: “If these stop speaking, the stones will cry out.”

Paul wrote, “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). He can inspire even a skeptic like Berlioz. He can make the rocks cry out. But God delights when people praise Him of their own free will.

Lift your voice and praise Him!

Reflection Question: Write your own praise to God for His wonderful works in your life.