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Verse:Alongside Babylon’s rivers we sat on the banks; we cried and cried, remembering the good old days in Zion. . . .That’s where our captors demanded songs. . . .“Sing us a happy Zion song!” Oh, how could we ever sing GOD’s songin this wasteland? —Psalm 137:1–4,
The Message Iunderstand God’s people were being taunted to sing a happy Zion song and why they resisted. However, I would like to suggest that when we are being harassed, persecuted, disappointed, or just sad, singing one of God’s songs may be the best remedy! We often ask, Lord, how long must we wait till we see Your blessed face? Though the wait seems long, the end result will be worthwhile. I am reminded of Naaman, the leper, who had to dip into the muddy Jordan seven times so he could come up shouting, “Oh, Lord, I see a change!” (see 2 Kings 5:14). When you get the promotion or raise you did not expect, do you sing like Moses? “I’m blessed in the city, I’m blessed in the field, I’m blessed when I come and when I go!” (see Deuteronomy 28:3–6). While we wait, sing His praise.
So, what are the blessings of singing a “happy Zion song”? First, “[The Lord] will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV).
And finally, it is a rehearsal for heaven:
I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song:
The slain Lamb is worthy!
Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!
Take the honor, the glory, the blessing! (Revelation 5:11, 12, The Message).
Are you singing happy Zion songs?
Sylvia A. Franklin