Joy Gems

Singing As We Go

Psalm 42:4 "These things I remember as I pour out my soul; how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng."

Hmm... I don't know if I have ever gone to church with a festive crowd who were shouting with joy and thanksgiving. I've always gone to church (almost always) gladly and willingly. But I don't recall ever leading a procession. (Although I did bring cars full of passengers when I had the Nova. And the Ambassador).

I think David, while praying in a crisis, is recalling a happier time, a time when he used to go with crowds of people to Jerusalem for the annual feast days. He must have been a natural poet and singer even as a boy and, no doubt in his eagerness, he was often with other kids at the head of the crowd, singing and urging others to sing as they went.

There are some Psalms in our Bible marked as Songs of Ascent. I don't know whether David initiated the idea of singing certain songs of worship as they climbed those mountainous roads to Jerusalem, or whether they were already in the habit of doing that, but I can see an excitable young David leading and singing loudly.

Any family trip is memorable for kids. This is what David now remembers fondly from his youth. It may even have played a part in his intimate relationship with the Lord.

Do you have memories of singing praises to God as a child? I do.

PRAYER: So Lord, is that how exuberant I should be when I come to worship You? Not just while going to church, but daily as I come to praise and adore You, right?

I confess, that's not always been my practice, but I think I would like to make this my normal approach to Your presence. You are putting a song of joy into my heart, aren't You? Thank You!

Custom Search