David's Songs

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.    —Psalm 137:1

Many in the over 50 crowd will remember the 1972 song written and recorded by Neil Diamond, Song Sung Blue. It was an immediate hit partly because of its simple but truthful message. If you feel sad, write a song or poem about it, and you will begin to feel better. The first verse and chorus read, “Song sung blue, everybody knows one. Song sung blue, every garden grows one. Me and you are subject to the blues now and then, but when you take the blues and make a song, you sing them out again.”

Much of the ever-expanding counseling industry is based on this song’s truth. If you are troubled by an issue and feel down, talk about it with someone. Share your feelings and struggles, and you will soon begin to feel better. Christians and Jews, using the Book of Psalms as a songbook, already knew and practiced this truth and more. The themes to the songs in the Psalms are not only sad songs but include joyous songs, prayers, and prophecies, as well.

As many as 80 of the 150 Psalms were written by King David. In his life, David experienced the full range of human emotions as recorded in the Psalms. Have you had problems with your children? They cannot compare to David’s. David’s son, Ammon, raped his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:14). Another of David’s sons, Absalom, proclaimed himself king and attempted to assassinate his father, King David (2 Samuel 15). David expressed his fears and broken spirit to God in his own Song Sung Blue called the lament Psalms.

David’s songs also include songs of praise. Psalm 150 was possibly sung at the dedication of the second temple and has been used by both Christians and Jews in celebratory worship. “Praise the Lord! … Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! (vss. 1, 6) We are exhorted by scripture, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). We can do exactly that by sharing the Songs of David in the Psalms.

If you are feeling sad and no one seems to care, you can go to God and tell Him everything that is on your heart. If you feel uncomfortable speaking so harshly to God, go to some of David’s Songs and read them to the Lord. For example, read all nine verses of Psalm 137. You will be shocked and moved by the pain behind the words. The Psalms were inspired by God and given to human beings to recite and sing back to God. God can handle the feelings of your struggles.

If you are extremely happy but don’t want to make those around you who are struggling feel worse, then turn to David’s Songs and sing praise to God. I have found it is often much harder to share praises with folks than sorrows. When you share your bad times, people can sympathize with you and feel better about themselves. When you share your joys, it may come across as bragging and make people feel worse about themselves. Sing the songs of praise and thanksgiving in the Psalms. “Come before Him with joyful singing” (Psalm 100:2b).

No matter where you are in life: hurting and far from God or close to the Lord and filled with joy, you can express those feelings to God through the Psalms. David sang, wept, and danced before the Lord. We can, too.