Why I Write Music?

Why not? I mean, everyone can write music, and I think we all do in some way. Melodies go through everyone’s head but some people catch them* and write them down. That’s what I do. And there’s no one-set-way that I write. Sometimes I just grab a melody floating around. Sometimes I’m readying the Bible and and words or phrases seem to cry out to be sung. Sometimes I just sit at the piano or guitar and have fun exploring sounds that I like, and then, wha-lah! Out comes a song. But, because I know how people are moved by music, sometimes i intentionally write songs as a path to God - for people to be encouraged, refreshed, to reconnect with their Creator. Bottom line, I enjoy creating music - making beautiful sounds and meaningful lyrics based on the Scriptures, and I greatly delight in creating a song in which a person draws closer to God.

I wrote You Are My Hiding Place in 1980. With Bible opened up to Psalm 32 and guitar in hand, I started to work the words into a melody and in about 15 minutes it was finished. I didn't know back then that it would travel the world. I know now that it was never really “mine” to begin with (remember, I just “caught” a melody that God gave to me). These songs belong to whoever needs them. I’m just bless’d when I hear that a song I wrote encouraged someone or drew them closer to the Lord. That’s my real reward…and royalties…royalties are nice too…they help with groceries : )

I look at the songs I write as completing a circle: God shows me great mercy and grace, and I praise Him with a song. As the Psalmist expressed:

“The Lord is my strength and my shield,

my heart trusted in him and I am helped;

therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

and with my song will I praise Him.”

- Psalm 28:7

Blessings!

Michael Ledner

• Here’s how to write your own song: There’s a free version of the Suno app. If you have a poem or a song, put it in and it will produce a demo for you. Give it a try!