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Sing And Be Happy
Sing And Be Happy
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Written by Emory S. Peck in 1940, the song “Sing and Be Happy” has been a part of church as long as I can remember. According to R. J. Stevens Music, the hymn is based on the following scripture:
Psalm 100:2
“Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.”
What has brought this song to mind was the book Living Life Backward by David Gibson which is a study of Ecclesiastes. In the closing chapters of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher notes that God’s people should rejoice. Ecclesiastes 11:8, 9 instructs God’s people, both young and old, to rejoice. Gibson notes that these passages in Ecclesiastes are imperative commands and not merely suggestions. After spending much of the Ecclesiastes telling us how we cannot find lasting joy in worldly things and reminding us death is inevitable, it seems strange that Solomon instructs readers to rejoice. This led me to think about the hymn “Sing and Be Happy” which for all its upbeat rhythm and cheerful title acknowledges gray skies, sorrow, sickness, and injustice. Based on the realistic view of life “under the sun” in Ecclesiastes and other passages our joy is not a naive or false joy. Despite negative circumstances we are commanded to find joy in this life which God has given us.
How often have we sung “Sing and Be Happy” in worship only to complain about how the service was not uplifting or we got nothing from the sermon? How often have we sung that song on Sunday only to enter our jobs on Monday with misery and anxiety? How often have we sung “Count Your Many Blessings” and then taken for granted the family and friends God has put in our lives? Sometimes we may be ashamed at our answers to these questions.
Now think about how the world sees us if we are not serving the Lord with gladness. How can we honestly tell others about the Gospel as being “good news” with furrowed brows and frowns on our faces? Why would our neighbors want to be part of our spiritual family when sadly all they see us do is complain and create conflict?
Perhaps you struggle finding the positive in life, then start with trying to enjoy some of the small blessings. Attitudes do not change overnight. It took me six months of drinking it before I was able to enjoy the simple blessing of coffee. Enjoy a walk with a friend or family member. Enjoy a meal of fellowship with another member of your spiritual family. Just as our parents gave gifts for us to enjoy, our heavenly Father provides us gifts in life each day. Let’s not grieve our God by refusing to find joy in His blessings. On the day we stand in judgement we need to have both sang and been happy in our lives.
