Sing!

 SING!

Have you ever been stuck in traffic and some nutjob pulls a really stupid stunt that just gets your  blood boiling?  Did you know that it is nearly impossible to be angry when you are singing?  A recent study showed that singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety, and elevate endorphins.  The best part about this is that the study shows you don't even have to be a good singer to reap the rewards and benefits of singing.

Of course, these are general, secular studies on the benefits of the physical hormones released in our bodies when we vocalize in this manner.  The benefits of singing are multiplied when applied to our daily worship.  Listening to music is a pleasant activity that most of us enjoy at one time or another, but singing is an action that causes the body to produce hormones and endorphines that actually elevate the mood.

Songs have been used throughout the ages to express deep feelings, unite groups, honor and praise, relax, and even teach.  How many of you still silently "sing" the alphabet when you are going down a list, looking for an entry?  I once scored extra points on a test by being able to write the words to the Preamble of the Constitution, which I learned by singing on Saturday mornings with School House Rock (a company that has embraced music as a teaching tool).  Singing is sometimes used in certain forms of speech therapy, to help children and stroke victims gain or regain the art of speech.

The first account of singing in scripture is when Moses reached the other side of the Red Sea with the children of Israel intact.  Moses broke out in song, honoring the deed that the Lord had done on their behalf. (Exodus 15).  This song has come to be known as "The Victory Song".  In the song Moses refers to the fact that G-d is our strength and our song (verse 2).  G-d has inserted Himself into us as a song that our souls can sing, a response to the difficulties and trying times in our lives.  When we are frustrated, angry, hurt, afraid, or just need a release from the tensions of day-to-day living, G-d has given us a pressure valve through song.  Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Exodus 15:2 tells us that G-d is our strength and song, so the joy of the Lord must be our strength and song.  His strength fills us, and the overflowing result is His song.

When Moses had finished his song of worship and honor, his sister Miriam grabbed a tambourine and led the ladies in a dance to the Lord (another physically healthy activity)!  The song accompanying Miriam's dance is still sung today in many synagogues throughout the world.  It is called the Mi chamocha and basically translates to Who is Like Thee.  But of course, we know the answer to that… NO ONE.

I Chronicles 16:9 encourages us to "Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works!"  Verse 10 goes on to say that our hearts will rejoice when we seek the Lord.  And verse 23 further says that the whole Earth should "Sing to the Lord and proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day."  We need to be singing every day!  Beginning the day with a song of praise can set the whole tone for the day.  Each day is new and "...the Lord’s mercies are new every morning." (Lamentations 3:22-23)  We all know that it is best to wake up and start the day by being thankful, but honestly, if you haven't slept well, had a rough time, or just had to get up too early for your own liking, you don't always wake up chipper and ready to feel thankful.  But if you start with a song of praise (even a little one), you get your voice, your mind, and your soul warmed up to start the day with joy.

Professor Graham Welch, at the University of London's Institute of Education, has studied the physical and psychological aspects of singing for over 30 years. He states that “Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting." Singing exercises both the lungs and the heart muscle.  So no more excuses for not exercising, just sing, sing, sing.

It is rather obvious from the book of Psalms that King David found many reasons, both positive and negative, in praise and lament, to open his heart and sing songs to G-d, in all His forms -- Adonai, El Gibbor (The Warrior), Jehovah, etc.  David recognized the therapeutic value of opening up your soul and spilling the contents in song to the Creator of the Universe.  Despite his circumstances David chose to rise up and bless the Lord in all things and he did this through song.  "I will praise the Lord at all times.  I will constantly speak his praises." (Psalms 34:1)

In over 30 instances in scripture, the word "praise" follows or is found in proximity to the word "sing".  Judges 5:3 says "I will sing to the Lord; I will sing praises to the Lord   G-d of Israel."  2 Chronicles says "Now when they began to sing and to praise the Lord" and Psalm 21:13 says that "We will sing and praise Your power."  It is obvious that the references encouraging us to sing are for the praise and worship of the Lord.  G-d wants to hear our praises.  They are sweet to Him.

Perhaps you are familiar with the story in Luke 19 of Jesus riding into town on a donkey (ass, burro, colt...depending on your translation).  The people were thrilled to see Him and began laying their garments in the road, waving branches, and, you got it… singing!  Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai -- Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.  As we see in the story, this open praise and worship got the Pharisees a little miffed.  They called to Jesus and told him to basically make "His" people be quiet.  Jesus answered them in Verse 40.  He said "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would cry out."  G-d wants our songs.

So the next time some dunderhead in a vehicle makes your morning commute a less than pleasant experience, break out in song!  You won't get your "revenge" and you won't "teach them a lesson", but you might learn something yourself, like the joys of being content (Philippians 4:11).  When you sing praises to G-d instead of curses to your fellow man, you will be able to embrace Acts 2:26 - Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.  

Besides that, you can feel smug in the fact that you've exercised and gotten some daily heart-strengthening, mind easing, soul-soothing therapy.

God Bless you, now go out there and Sing!