Singing Comes In The Morning – christinelind.com
Singing comes in the morning. Or, otherwise known as “Joy comes in the morning.”
We’re all familiar with this verse of scripture. It’s also popular with secular movie and book titles. But its origin is from the Bible. This is where David proclaims that after a night of weeping, then joy or singing comes in the morning. It’s an elegant verse, beautifully written to help us respond to life’s trials. But we like to pick and choose our scripture, and the first part of this verse is almost always left out. Especially the part about God’s anger.
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (King James Version, Psalm 30:5).
Who wants to tell someone when they’re in the throes of weeping that God is angry or chastising? Not me. I leave that part out, especially if I’m merely comforting someone. But if I’m coaching someone I quote the entire verse, but only if I know the person wants to learn and go deeper with God. But when I minister or help anyone, God always runs the lesson through me first.
This verse did more than comfort me, at a time when the last thing on my mind was singing. Sorrow drove me to dig deeper into this verse. Why? Because I knew that what I was crying about would not be resolved when I woke up. Circumstances were out of my control—all I knew is that I would trust God. Then I backed up and read the entire verse.
What does his anger mean? In this verse it translates as learning, or a lesson – a new level to understand the knowledge of God. To know him better. To sit at his feet and learn from him. And favor? What is that? Well, it’s not about finding a great parking spot, or the shoes you’ve had your eyes on at the Mall go on sale. That’s gratitude. It means unconditional love through your trials as he uses you for his purposes. Mary the mother of Jesus knew the real definition of favored and blessed. And she surrendered her will to him.
So now we get to the part we all like. But what if joy doesn’t come in the morning? Because this verse is much deeper than that. This verse means more of a season in our lives and not an overnight experience. Night describes the sad time. And morning the joyful time. It’s more of a promise that joy always follows sadness the way morning always follows night. We can be confident that just as the sun rises every morning, that joy will rise in our hearts.
Singing is where we want to be, but God describes it more of a strategic plan as we walk with him. I think that’s what David is trying to encourage us with when he wrote the psalm. We are in a state of movement from weeping and learning, to singing, while being forever in his favor.
Is it nighttime for you right now? Then remember morning is on its way! Remember your favor with God is unconditional—for life. We forget we are favored, and we forget our position because of the pain–we forget he is sovereign. We want to get past the “night part,” faster than what it takes for God to do a work in us, or in others. Don’t push the process, it all must be orchestrated by God.
In the meantime, my friend, practice your musical scales—soon it will be singing time.
