Joy

Psalm 126 NKJV

A Song of Ascents. 1 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad. 4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South. 5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

Joy

Many of life's most meaningful moments can be relived through music. Let your mind wander to the numerous picturesque weddings that come to mind when the music of Pachelbel's "Canon in D" plays. And where does it leave "Pomp and Circumstance"? As we listen to the song, visions of cap and gown ceremonies fill our minds. An iconic tune is "Happy Birthday." The sound of it alone transports me back to countless birthday parties, complete with cake cutting and candle blowing.

What are some of your favorite songs?

I had you fill out some slips of paper with one or more of your favorite songs. Let me read through some of these.

Unfortunately, these musical recollections can sometimes serve as somber reminders of difficult times. Memories aren't always sad; most often they're joyful and celebratory. Christmas is a great illustration of this. Music abounds throughout this joyous season, evoking a flood of memories—both pleasant and unpleasant.

And that is why, as we enter Advent, the joyous season preceding Christmas, it is fitting to meditate on Psalm 126. Remembering is the theme of this Psalm. The grounds for one's joy might be recalled through it, with an emphasis on one's faith and God. The uplifting words of Psalm 126 serve as a potent reminder of the wonderful things in our lives, much like the music we love.

Psalm 126:1–3 NKJV

1 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.

Truth is stranger than fiction

Imagine yourself walking on land that was once yours, a place full of memories that you had to leave with because of a heartbreaking loss. Like walking into a page of history you never imagined you'd see again, this experience might feel almost strange.

After my parents retired and lived near us in Mississippi I would take her “back home” to visit family. One year when we did this we drove past the former home of my great grandparents. It was a place where my mother spent much of her childhood. The place had been abandoned by the current owners and it was all grown up. We stopped and she talked about what the place was like when she was a girl running around the farm. She showed me where the old well was where she got her jaw broken when the handle slipped from her hand it hit her in the jaw.

The house was unlocked so we went in and you could see memories rush into her face as she talked about each of the rooms. She spoke about her grandmother in the kitchen, the meals around the dinning table. We went upstairs and talked about each of the bedrooms. She pointed out the one she slept in when she was there. I went up into the attic and could see the craftsmanship that went into building that house. I even stole a nail from one of the rafters - those old flat type nails. That house came alive with memories for her and through her I shared in those memories.

That is something that many Christians and Jews feel, particularly during modern-day pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Here, each rock and trail leads to a different chapter in the region's storied past.

A long time ago, while they were in exile, things looked really bad. Because the new rulers were so powerful, it seemed like there was no way out of their control. It seemed like the people were trapped in an endless cycle of misery, with no way out. But, in a shocking twist of fate, liberty was restored. The magnitude and suddenness of this transformation were so astounding that many took it for divine intervention rather than a result of mere chance or human initiative. It brought to mind the biblical account of the Exodus, in which God (also known as Jehovah) freed His people from Egypt's clutches.

The only appropriate response to such amazing occurrences was jubilation and festivity. People were so overjoyed that they let forth contagious laughter, songs, and an overwhelming feeling of joy. Their emotions seemed to be bursting at the seams, too strong to contain.

Their happiness was more than a feeling; it was a message they had to tell the world. The magnificent things that had transpired were something they wished to broadcast to all nations. A narrative of emancipation from oppression and hope triumphing over despair. They believed that by sharing their story, others would be encouraged by the strength of faith and the possibility of freedom, and that they would see that there is hope and light even in the darkest of times.

Psalm 126:4 NKJV

4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South.

We associate music quite strongly with past experiences. When we want to make sure that our children remember something essential, we typically sing to them. For example, you probably remember all the letters of the alphabet thanks to the alphabet song. As an aid to memory, music can be useful.

And it's not only happy memories that music can evoke. At other instances, it might transport us to previously unrecognized places or bring back painful memories. As an example, hearing a song that you loved during summer camp can transport you to that magical place.

I still remember some of the songs that I learned at camp way back in the dark ages. Remembering a song I learned long ago can bring back memories of events surrounding it.

If I were to start singing “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy” how many of you would be able to finish that song?

If I started singing “Amazing” how many of you would join in singing “grace, how sweet the sound?”

If I were to hear the song “Molly Malone” which is an Irish children’s song it would transport me back to a school musical when I was in 4th or 5th grade where we sang songs associated with different ethnic groups and periods of music.

Music can have the power to help people who are struggling with anxiety to calm down. When I ask my patients how they cope with problems and stressors in life almost all of them will say that they turn to music.

Research even suggests that listening to music can have a positive effect on the aging process. Tune in to documentary "Alive Inside" on Amazon Prime to learn more about the impact music has on those living with dementia and Alzheimer's.

This demonstrates that music can assist these individuals in re-establishing a sense of self, which is quite remarkable. Despite their severe memory loss, hearing familiar songs from their youth can bring a smile to their face and bring back their sense of self.

Much like in a home, church music is vital. The teachings of God and the importance of religion are found in many songs. The first tunes you ever heard were probably church hymns. In other words, the music that lifts your spirits, particularly when times are bad. The musical elements in the Bible aid with memorization of key passages. Music, like Christmas music, brings the birth of Jesus to mind. On Easter, we celebrate His resurrection through song. Musical performances during funerals serve as a means of paying tribute to the departed.

Traditional communal singing included Psalm 126 and the other psalms. Ascended psalms are what they are termed. Recalling the great deeds God has done in the past is what these psalms are all about. Listening to these songs brings them together in a common bond while also serving as a powerful reminder of their spiritual journey.

Psalm 126:5–6 NKJV

5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

Remembering forward

With great care, the author of Psalm 126 fashioned the opening of the second section (verses 4–6) to closely resemble the first verse. It was done intentionally. In essence, the psalmist is pleading with God to continue the excellent deeds that He has begun. Because God has helped before, the psalmist is confident that God will help again. They believe that their prayers are strengthened by hope, which is based on their knowledge of God's faithfulness to His people throughout history. According to Philippians 1:6, we can pray with assurance because we know God has already done great things, both for us and for others.

Reestablishing themselves following their banishment was not an easy nor a quick task. It seemed likely that escaping Babylonian authority was the hardest part, and that restoring their society, city, and way of life was even harder. For this reason, it is reasonable to assume that the psalmist is simultaneously praising their homecoming and requesting further assistance in the same song. It's like being proud of how far you've come while also realizing there's a long way to go.

Remembering that God has been there for people in the past when they've needed Him most gives them the courage to pray for His help again and the assurance that He will be there for them in the future.

Looking back on life is about more than just reminiscing. Part of it is having a hopeful expectation of the future. Among the best examples of this is Psalm 126. Aside from dwelling on events of long gone, the song also expresses hope for better times ahead. This hope that God will continue to aid us comes from remembering the ways in which God has helped others in the past.

This is a crucial thought to keep in mind throughout Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The first coming of God to earth as Jesus Christ is a time of reflection and gratitude. It is also a period when Christians anticipate Jesus' return. In light of God's faithfulness in the past, we have faith that God will continue to be our rock in the future.

Looking forward is really a quite joyful experience. To rejoice in God's great deeds is to rejoice in God's great deeds in the past, present, and future. The main point of Psalm 126 is to reaffirm our faith in God, who is both great and faithful, and to praise him for it.

The Bible also discusses this concept in other places. It reminds us to focus on the present and not on the things that have happened in the past, as is said in Isaiah 43:18–19

Isaiah 43:18–19 NKJV

18 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

God promises to save us and provide for our needs in Jeremiah 29:11 “11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.”

Also, Philippians 3:13–14 reminds us to look forward with anticipation rather than dwelling on the past.

Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

While it is necessary to reflect on the past, these passages emphasize that there is always hope in God's promises for the future.

The music we hear over the holidays transports us back in time. A trip back in time to earlier Christmases is evoked. Unwrapping Christmas presents under the tree is one happy memory, but recalling loved ones who are no longer here is a more melancholy one. But no matter how low we may feel or how much someone we've lost, we may take solace in knowing that God has been and will continue to be our rock.

Picture this: it's as if we are holding a small handful of seeds. We have trust that, although they may not appear much now, they will develop into something truly remarkable in due course. We "remember forward" in this way when we have faith that God will repeat His past acts of kindness. Way back when, God became one of us—human—he demonstrated his love. This is something we sing about every year, with lyrics that range from joyful to sorrowful, but always point to God's unending faithfulness.

Imagine that we are sowing seeds as we move from receiving to celebrating the Eucharist. Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to partake of His flesh and blood at the Last Supper, and the Eucharist is a remembrance of that sacred meal. This feels more like an actual participation in the event than only recalling its details. As we partake of the bread and wine, we are reminded of Jesus' immense sacrifice and love for us. Like the seeds that will one day bear fruit, this joyous occasion unites the past with the present to remind us of Jesus' promise of his constant presence. As we look ahead, our hearts are filled with hope and trust in God's unending love and faithfulness. This is our faith - a journey of remembering.