Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Faith’s Response to Joy”
REVIEW
I have said this numerous times. James serves as a mirror to examine the true nature of our trust in God.
True trust in God’s provision enables us to respond according to God’s ways. True faith enables wise living.
This letter contains numerous life instructions requiring genuine faith in God. Along with those instructions James included divine insights to help us understand the logic behind those instructions. So far, we have explored several life categories requiring a faith response.
I. Faith’s response to trials 1:2-27
Joyfully endure – continued endurance produces maturity and stability.
II. Faith’s response to partiality and prejudice 2:1-13
Love others as ourselves
III. Faith’s True Nature 2:14-26
Believe God and behave godly or demonstrate your belief by your behavior
IV. Faith’s response to conversation 3:1-12
Control your speech it can be destructive or constructive
V. Faith’s way of life 3:13-4:12
Live wisely according to God’s way
VI. Faith’s Response to God’s will 3:13-17
Consider God in all your plans
VII. Faith’s response to suffering and persecution 5:1-13
Patiently endure and pray
Today’s prescribed faith response is simple.
Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. James 5:13
James addressed three life circumstances and prescribed a response to each. Suffering, cheerfulness, weakness.
The first part of the verse addressed a condition of suffering and prescribed a conduct of continual prayer.
The second part of the verse addresses the condition of cheerfulness and prescribed a conduct of continual singing praises.
VIII. Faith’s response to joy
Sing praises
The instruction in this section is clear and straight forward. It clarifies both the condition and the conduct.
A. The Condition -- cheerfulness
Is anyone cheerful?
The term translated “cheerfulness” comes from a compound word. “eu” meaning good or well and “thumos” meaning passion or deep feeling often translated anger or wrath. Here, the compound would indicate a good passion or feeling residing deep in the soul. It is the opposite of suffering which indicates a bad feeling.
Anyone feeling good should express their cheerfulness, joy, happiness. The prescribed expression; “sing praises”.
B. The conduct – sing praises
Let him sing praises.
The term translated “sing praise” comes from the Greek word “psalmos”. If you think that sounds like Psalms, you are right. Our current title for the Hebrew Songbook found in the middle of your Bible comes from this Greek word. It originally indicated the plucking of a string and evolved to specifically refer to the Psalms of David and generally, to a song of praise. All of the 150 Psalms in the Bible are lyrics to songs. The Psalms contain numerous music terms to the music director. The meaning of many of those terms has been lost.
Music played an integral part of Israel’s worship. It included numerous instruments and passionate lyrics. The New Testament calls for praise both in tribulation and jubilation. Obviously, we find it much easier to praise God in good times than grim. Generally, I am heavy on content and expect you to make appropriate application of the truths taught.
You say, well I don’t feel that cheerful today. That’s ok, then you fall under the category of giving thanks in everything. We need to keep a balanced perspective.
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. Proverbs 25:20
This probably refers to one who sings an up-beat song on a day of tragedy. You only make things worse. On the other hand, David was able to calm King Saul’s demonically troubled soul with praise music.
Since James instructs us to “psalm”, a vital sourcebook would be the Psalms. The English title derives from the Greek term “psalmos”. The Hebrew title is from a Hebrew term meaning “to boast or praise”. The Psalms express a wide variety of emotions and actions in diverse circumstance. The common denominator throughout seems to be praise. Even a Psalm that begins in somber pain often ends with shouts of praise. The English dictionary suggest three aspects to the verb “to praise”.
1 – “to set a price on or appraise.
2 – “to commend the worth of, express approval or admiration of”
3 – “to laud or extol the glory of God.”
All the Hebrew terms portray a public and vocal nature.
Praise (Halell) – praise, boast, be excited in joy, shout for victory.
That sounds like our English word Hallelujah which means “praise Yahweh!” It is not, in itself, an expression of praise but a call to boast about God. When we hear “Praise the Lord!”, someone needs to do it.
Acknowledge in Public (Yadah)
This word is often translated “give thanks” but the emphasis is on public acknowledgment of God’s goodness which equals praise.
Bless (Barak)
This expresses the idea of remembering and not forgetting God’s benefits.
Sing (Zamar)
To make music in praise of God.
Laud (Shabah)
It is similar to the Greek term eulogeo “to speak well of”.
Shout in joy (Ru)
Shout joyfully to the Lord all the earth. Ps 100:1
Proclaim (Quara)
One of several terms related to speaking. To make proclamation, declare.
Extol (Rum) Pronounced “room”
To be high or make high, exalt. The focus of praise throughout the Psalms is primarily public and vocal praise of God for who He is and what He has done. This can be done with or without music. Praise is only one aspect of worship, as worship encompasses so much more. Worship is humanity’s response to the revelation and realization of the person, power, purpose and presence of God. That response includes more than vocal public declaration of Him. It includes submission, obedience, service, internal and external responses. Joy, fear, bowing, singing, praying, silence, gratitude, awe, dancing etc.
Every aspect of our worship, including praise, must center on God not us. Too much of contemporary Christian music somehow became creature centered. It became about how I feel and what pleases me.
Songwriter Matt Redman sought to correct the trend.
When the music fades all is stripped away And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song For a song in itself is not what You have required
You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You're looking into my heart
Chorus
I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You all about You Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it When it's all about You all about You Jesus
Verse 2
King of endless worth no one could express How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor all I have is Yours Ev'ry single breath
Whether you feel good or struggle today, singing and speaking praise to God is not only appropriate but commanded. I invite you to join me in praise of God.
The call to sing praises or psalms occurs often in the Bible.
Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! Psalm 9:11
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. Psalm 30:4
Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! Psalm 47:6-7
Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah Psalm 66:1-4
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. Psalm 92:1-4
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD! Psalm 98:4-6
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. Psalm 147:1
The Psalmists regularly pledged to sing praise to the Lord.
I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD,
the Most High. Psalm 7:17
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. Psalm 104:33-34
I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Psalm 59:16-17
I Will Enter His Gates
Hosanna
We boast, praise, lift up, exalt God for who He is, His attributes.
Congregational response: You are…
We boast, praise, lift up, exalt God for what He has done. Remember don’t forget all His benefits.
To God be the Glory
Lord I lift Your Name on High
Congregational response: Your name is…
Congregational Response: We remember His works in the past
Congregational Response: We anticipate Your future works.
O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing
Congregational Response: I acknowledge Your present work in me.
Good Good Father
Great Are You Lord
Congregational Response: Your are…
Doxology
