Psalm 42:4

Psalm 42:4

The festive throngs

This is a sad verse that is all about joy! The wistful reminiscences of the elderly or the sick, or anyone who is confined and precluded from doing things they once did, are heart-breaking at times. As we get older most of us tend to view the past through some kind of rose-tinted spectacles, the summers were warmer, and the winters were snowier, and the air was cleaner, and we were free-er! My heart goes out to the man who wrote this verse as he too remembers the good times. The daily visits to the House of God, the shouts and laughter of the pilgrims, the joy that filled the air as they sang the Songs of Zion. The music, the choirs, the excitement and the ceremonial festivals, all of these were days of great celebration and significance, and they have passed. 

As we have surmised, our songwriter is probably incarcerated by foreign invaders and now his days are long and silent and fearful, for who knows his fate? Perhaps the lesson here is never to take things for granted. As Covid affects us all, many of the celebrations we once enjoyed have been curtailed and all we can do is hope for better times, at some point in the future. As I write, it is a nearly 12 months since I last sang songs of joy with a congregation in God’s House. We never thought that such things would come to a halt did we? Perhaps we will not take them for granted when they do return but meanwhile let’s keep singing in our hearts and trust the Lord God who has all things under control. As we do so let’s look forward to joining with the festive throngs again one day and when we do, let’s help to make them festive throngs! Hallelujah!

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