Music is one of the primary ways that God releases justice

Aaron Leatherdale - Rapper 
Follow Aaron on Twitter: aleatherdale
Website & personal blog: aaronleatherdale.org
Aaron grew up in Prince George, BC, Canada and moved to IHOP in May 2007. His passion and desire is to serve the Lord through prayer and fasting and to preach the love of Christ to the nations of the earth.


Music is something that is enjoyed by almost everyone.  I think God intended it to be this way.  Music is something that touches the very spirit of man and studies have shown that there is virtually no known culture on earth that does not appreciate and value music.

Although I have always enjoyed music, I have been realizing recently that playing instruments and singing is much more powerful than I thought.  After looking at many different scriptures, I believe music is one of the primary ways that God releases justice to the earth. 

Take a look at Isaiah 30:27-32.  The passage talks about the judgment of the Lord on Assyria.  Isaiah had been prophesying that the 10 northern tribes of Israel were going to be invaded and exiled to Assyria.  The end of Isaiah 30 talks about the Lord’s judgment on Assyria for their wickedness.  Verse 32 says that the punishment the Lord will inflict on Assyria will “be to the sound of tambourines and harps”.  I believe that as saints on the earth pray and sing songs the Lord will bring about justice and deliver the oppressed.

A well-known passage of scripture related to justice is Luke 18:7.  It says that God will bring about justice to those who cry out to Him day and night.  One of the most powerful ways to pray is to actually sing our prayers.  That is why I sing and rap.  It engages my heart and helps me to consistently pray day after day.

Another chapter in Isaiah that speaks about singing (there are literally dozens) is Isaiah 42.  Verses 10-17 talk about the Lord’s judgment on nations: Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them! Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits.  Let the inhabitants of Sela sing; let them shout from the top of the mountains.  Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare His praise in the coastlands.  Is. 42:10-12

The rest of the passage talks about the Lord arising as a warrior and prevailing against His enemies.  I believe that this chapter is talking about a worldwide worship movement (singing and playing instruments) that releases justice.  God acts on behalf of those who sing His praises and glorify His name in song.

Another passage is 2 Chronicles 20:21-25. The nations of Moab and Ammon and Mount Seir had combined forces and were intent on destroying Judah.  Jehoshaphat was the king and, as the army started to march to the battlefield, he decided to set the singers before the army.  That’s a crazy thought.  But it was an idea from the Lord.  As the singers sang, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever”, the Lord ambushed the enemy armies of Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir and they actually turned on one another and completely slaughtered each other!  When Jehoshaphat and the Israelites arrived at the battlefield, everyone was dead and their bodies were covering the ground.  This is an amazing story that demonstrates the power of singing and declaring the Lord’s praise.  No wonder David had 4000 musicians and 288 singers who ministered with music before the Lord day and night.

As an intercessor at the International House of Prayer, I pray daily for justice.  I want to see the oppressed set free.  I want to see the women who are enslaved in human trafficking delivered.  I want to see the orphans set in families.  I want to see the light of the gospel break into the hearts and minds of the countless souls throughout the nations who live in depravity and darkness.  That is why I pray.  And that is why I sing and rap.

I’ve always enjoyed rap.  When I was a young teenager I remember writing poems and rhymes.  I never thought I would be rapping in a house of prayer.  But it makes sense.  Rap is a style of music that is captivating and engaging.  It is a powerful way to make intercession and bring about justice.  I wouldn’t want to do it in any other context.

© 2010 Aaron Leatherdale