Psalm 30:4
In Psalm 30, we are commanded to sing, but not just to sing – to sing unto the Lord. It’s one thing to sing, but here we are reminded to keep in mind to whom we must sing. We sing not just as a pastime – to entertain ourselves and others, but we sing very conscious of the fact that God, the supreme being, is our audience. Therefore, that kind of singing must indeed be different. It should be thoughtful, reverential, uplifting and joyful! One individual said, “I sing because I’m happy…” We sing in spite of all the suffering and turmoil of these last days because He lives, and He is sovereign and has not given us over to the cruel hands of the enemy. In spite of all the viciousness of this insidious virus, we sing. We still remain victors and not helpless victims.
Here in this Psalm, David outlines reasons for singing. We sing in spite of our foes (v1), sickness (v2), the grave (v3), death (v3), fury (v5), darkness (v5), and mourning (v11). He calls upon all saints to join in the chorus of praise as we celebrate Yahweh – the God of creative glory and excellence. We, who are His, must sing unto Him and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness (v4). We are called upon to sing “solo” and we are called upon to sing “in concert” or “in unison.” We sing individually and corporately. May the Church of God in these last days never lose her desire to sing and her ability to sing.
I think the devil really hates it when we sing. He does all within his power to take away our desire and ability to sing. May we be just as determined never to stop singing. The command rings out loud and clear throughout the scriptures, “Sing unto the Lord.” It even calls upon us to sing unto the Lord, “a new song” (Psalm 96:1,2). Here even those outside the church are summoned to sing unto the Lord. We are reminded that when the praises go up, the blessings come down. When we sing unto Him, we are commemorating and remembering joyfully the great things that He has done for us and will continue to do for us. I say let the Church of God be a place of song and singing, where we continue to sing a joyful song in 2022. “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2). We find yet a singing church in the book of Revelation (Rev. 15:3,4).
The saints in heaven sing to Him, why should not those on earth be doing the same work, as well as they can, in concert with them. According to this remarkable Psalm, David declares He has delivered us from all our foes, from all our diseases, from the place of death, from going down to the pit – therefore, why should we not sing. If that’s not reason enough, He reminds us that He is the God of unspotted purity (v4). He is holy, unlike all the other Gods. He is not spiteful, vengeful and cruel! Come on church, let us sing in 2022. Even by the rivers of Babylon, may we always sing the Lord’s song! Weep through the night but remember to sing a song of joyful praise in the morning (v5). Say goodbye to weeping. Let us raise a song of joy in 2022. Sing, Church Sing!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
