The song that once was ‘America’ seems to be in its final refrain, but when its over, will you still sing?
Psalm 9 picks up right where Psalm 8 left off with an exuberant note of praise. Unlike Psalm 8 however, in the 9th Psalm, the Psalmist will return to lamenting before the end of his song, as he considers the reality of his turbulent earthly circumstances. The context of the Psalm clearly shows that David’s present condition is one of suffering, where any hope of deliverance lies in the future; yet the Psalm begins, and is scattered throughout, with verses of joyful and confident thanksgiving.
If we are honest and let experience tell the truth, Christians faced with turbulent times, seem to prefer to complain sooner than they will praise God. But not so for David; between the realism of his present trials and the equally real, but unseen future, David knows His God to be his refuge in the midst of the present tempest.
What is your experience when it comes to praise? When the music stops, is your singing sustained? When the ‘songs of glory’ end and times of joyful prosperity are over, do you sing on? The song that once was ‘America’ seems to be in its final refrain, but when its over, will you still sing? There is a link between great Truth and great singing. Song is the byproduct and response on the part of the grateful Christian who understands great Truth. So sing on, Christian, and let he who would call you, ‘naïve’ do so to their own detriment. For your hope lies not in an earthly nation, for what are they but men; your hope lies in the Maker of men and nations, even of heaven and earth!
