March 18, 2024

Psalm 5.11 (NIV)

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.

Blessed are those who are totally dependent on Jesus for their joy.*

David wants us to sing for joy - and he doesn’t give us any other specifications. He doesn’t say whether we should sit, stand, kneel, or dance. He doesn’t direct us to sing verses one, two and four. He doesn’t tell us to clap or not to clap, or what instruments to use – if any at all. He doesn’t tell us to sing only songs written between 1890 and 1946. And he especially doesn’t suggest that we look critically at others whose expressions of joy are not like ours – robbing all of us of our joy.

As Christians, we have a refuge in our Savior. A refuge is a place – singular - of safety, not places - plural. That means we all share the space and, according to this verse, we sing for joy together. Well . . . wouldn’t that be nice? Has there ever been anything more divisive in the church than our taste in music? Would I start looking for another congregation to worship with if the one I attend suddenly adopted a country music format? Would it be wrong if I did? Could my attitude make a difference in the right or wrong of it? What does music have to do with our salvation? We sing for joy because we are saved, not to become saved.

As one writer expresses it, “It is the inalienable right of every true child of God to accept this passage . . . as his very own inheritance.”* How are we to take joy in our inheritance if we squabble with the other heirs over matters of personal taste? And why would anyone want to become a part of a family like that?

I don’t have answers for the questions I have posed - I have my own opinions and preferences, after all.  But here is something I do know: Not all music is beautiful to my ear but all praise is beautiful to God’s ear. If we were to put our efforts into praising God in everything we do – if we would ever sing for joy - perhaps our hearing would improve!

I have learned that God blesses people I disagree with!*