Songs in the Night

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Psalm 42

I. Psalm 42

II. Background

A. The psalm was written from the perspective of someone in distress. As is often the case, the psalmist trusted in God’s deliverance though he had to endure suffering at the hands of his enemies.

B. He wanted to enjoy pleasant times with the Lord again

C. He fondly remembered how he led the multitude in praise as they made pilgrimages to God’s house, v.4.

D. He eagerly desired God’s company as a deer longs for the water

E. Psalm 63:1 – Thirst compared to one seeking water in a desert Thirst and hunger are basic desires of man.

F. When one is filled, neither food nor drink are appealing

G. Before the Thanksgiving meal is served, we salivate at the thought of the juicy turkey, sweet honey baked ham, and delicious trimmings. After gorging ourselves, we have no more desire for the food. When one is feeling self-satisfied, self-sufficient, and at ease he does not hunger and thirst for God—he does not need the Father. When one is suffering, broken down, and weary, he acutely feels the pain for God’s presence and comfort.

H. The psalmist did not thirst for God’s word but for God Himself.

I. Other scriptures urge us to hunger and thirst for the word of God and the righteousness that results from feasting and drinking deeply from it. It appeared that the enemies had hindered his ability to come to the house of God and worship. Doesn’t it seem likely that those who willingly absent themselves from the assembly of God’s people have lost their hunger and thirst for God? Just as a young couple eagerly desires one another’s company and seeks every opportunity to be with one another, so one who truly enjoys fellowship with God will hunger for opportunities to join with Him in prayer, study and worship.

J. Though he was suffering, he could still see the kindness of God in the daytime and sing songs as darkness enveloped him in the night.

III. Songs during dark times

A. The phrase “songs in the night” appears a few times in scriptures and indicates confidence in God in the middle of dark times.

B. Job 35:9-10 – Job’s friend, Elihu, told of the confidence of the oppressed who cry to God and receive songs in the night Psalm 77:1-6 – The psalmist reflected on a time when God answered him though he had to suffer some sleepless nights; yet even in his despair he had songs in the night. Psalm 149:5 encourages saints to sing loudly on their beds

C. When we are enduring trials or sorrows, we often lie on our beds staring at the ceiling and praying for help and answers.

D. Though despair has driven sleep from us, God is ever near. It is often in the silence and loneliness of the darkness that we realize how much we depend upon God and that in suffering we see Him more clearly. John Michael Talbot: “I can look back at my darkest periods and realize that these were the times when the Lord was holding me closest. But I couldn’t see his face because my face was in his breast—crying.”

E. Yet in the darkness of pain and despair we can find a song of love, praise, and comfort from our God

F. Acts 16:20-25

G. After being severely beaten, the apostles were cast into the depths of a Phillippian jail. It would be understandable if Paul and Silas moaned about their beating, complained to God, and wallowed in self-pity yet late into the night they were singing praises to God. Matthew 26:30 – Before spending the night in agonizing prayer and going to the cross, Jesus sang a hymn with His apostles. Before the Civil War, as slaves labored in the field and endured beatings, separated families, poor living conditions, and all of the indignities associated with oppression they sang spiritual songs of praise and deliverance.

H. It is a challenge to sing songs in the night when you are enveloped with despair and feel that your suffering is unfair.

IV. How can we sing songs in the night?

A. Trust in God’s love and care

B. The child who suffers the sting of punishment from a loving parent does not forget the comforting hand that follows chastisement. Psalm 23:4 – “Yea, though I walk through…” Hebrews 13:5 – “For He …has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

C. Seek strength from God

D. Ephesians 6:10 – be strong in God’s power Luke 12:6-7 – God cares for us

E. Realize that there will be times of joy and sorrow

F. Times of sorrow help us appreciate the good times. Ecclesiastes 7:14 – Enjoy the good days because bad days will come

G. Ecclesiastes 11:3-8

H. Some things are out of our control Some things are within our control We must do what we can do and leave the rest to the wisdom of God The days of darkness will be many even in a good, long life

V. Conclusion: Only those who are God’s children can sing songs in the night. Those who have rejected Him or Christians who are disobeying His law will only have anxiety and worry for they know that God will punish them if they do not repent. To sing songs in the night, one must have peace and true peace can only come through obedience to God.