How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy! (Psalm 137:4-6 ESV)
Fear Not… then Sing
The Judeans exiled to Babylon had reached the end of their fear. Traveling 1678 miles from Jerusalem to Babylon was undoubtably terrifying. Unfamiliar roads, strange lands, and an unknown new home would understandably be a cause for ulcers, worries, and insecurities. And that new home involved mocking conquerors, cruel prejudices, and logical hopelessness.
But the people sang.
They sang looking back. They sang remembering God’s Holy Jerusalem. They sang embracing the joy of God’s presence.
As their new home become more homely, fear retreated. And in that strange, uncomfortable peace and rest, the people sang.
Some of them sang long past their fears. Some of them sang just over fear’s edge. Some of them sang while still fearful. Some of them sang before they found even a slight end of fear. But they sang.
Something about music connects us to the after-fear. When we sing of our God, particularly, such music calms His people, encourages His people, strengthens His people, and moves His people further into His kingdom. After fear, God’s music prepares, provides, and protects us.
Fear not, then sing.