“My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.” Psalm 71:23 ESV
Friday was a day of singing for me. My manager transitioned from our company and the team hosted a virtual going away party. One of my manager’s favorite pastimes is karaoke so in homage to him, we sang a few songs. Now, I’m no songstress and we all know multiple voices trying to talk at the same time on Zoom is a disaster, so imagine singing! Yet my soul felt lighter as I belted out the lyrics to “Lean On Me.” Fast forward to Friday evening and I had a business meeting that began at 5:30pm. Yup, you read that right. The convener, recognizing the group would likely be exhausted, used music as a way to liven us up. Again, though on mute this time, I was elated and felt weights lifted from me as I sang along to “Lovely Day” waiting for the meeting to officially begin. (Ironically, it appears Friday was also a Bill Withers day for me; may he rest in peace!)
Truth be told, I have been in a rut going nonstop with very little quiet or reflection time. The entire month of January was filled with insomniac nights and 16 hour work days. Usually when I awake the most I get to say to God in a begging, whiny, whimper is “Thanks for waking me up, Lord. Can I pleeeease get another hour of sleep?”
I thought to myself if these secular songs could boost my mood and roll away the burdens of my heart, imagine what singing songs to my Lord would do for my soul. The Psalmist in this verse knows all too well the benefits of singing praise. Not only will our lips shout for joy, but our soul will shout for joy too. The popular Mary Poppins song “Spoonful of Sugar” is all about ways to get through whether it’s work like the robin or the bee, or taking medicine.
That’s what singing is for us. Whether it’s sleepless nights, long workdays, worry or concerns about the future or a loved one, a spoonful of singing will do our souls right. The Gospel classic “I sing because I’m happy” suggests we sing because we’re happy, and I submit to you that singing praises not only makes us happy but also lightens our load and the secret burdens we don’t even know we carry.
So whether you’re in the car, the shower, or sitting around waiting for a meeting to start, get a hymn, a Gospel classic, or a Christian tune in your spirit and let your lips sing praises to our King and watch how happy your soul feels!
Reflection
Pick a song that you can sing aloud to God.
Plan when in the day when you will actually sing the song aloud.
Notice your mood before you begin to sing.
Notice your mood after you sing.
Pray to God about your observation.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the ability to sing praises to You. Forgive me for taking praise songs for granted. Thank you for not caring about being on key, the tempo, or pitch. Show me how to make a joyful noise unto you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash
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