Two of life’s biggest events are weddings and funerals. One marks the joyful start of a new life together as two people become one. The other mourns a painful separation caused by death. And music plays a critically important role in both: whether it’s an excited couple or a sorrowful family, a great deal of heartfelt consideration goes into selecting just the right songs.
Now, what constitutes the “right songs” for each occasion is very different. Singing the incredibly moving hymn “It is Well with My Soul” at a wedding would raise serious concerns about the couple’s marital prospects. We see that in Scripture, too. While both are inspired and beautiful, Song of Solomon’s celebration of romantic love could not be more unlike Lamentations’ mourning of sin and its destructive consequences. They are different songs for different situations. As “The Preacher” famously said in Ecclesiastes 3:4, there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Throughout our lives, there will be occasions for happy and sad songs.
The same is true in our worship as a church. Psalms 120-134 form a collection called the “Songs of Ascents”, which would be sang by Jewish pilgrims making their way to Jerusalem to worship. Some were exuberant: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’” (Ps. 122:1). Others were pained and desperate: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!” (Ps. 130:1). And at different times, both were appropriate for worship.
But we must not allow them to get out-of-balance. Sometimes worship almost exclusively takes on the character of a funeral: a solemn, serious occasion of mourning. There is a place for that, as we consider how Jesus laid down His life for our sins. Yet, that is only part of the story – because Jesus also rose from the dead. Now, the occasion to which He invites us is not a funeral at all: “Let us rejoice and exult and given Him the glory, for the marriage supper of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted to her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” (Rev. 19:7-8).
So, let’s absolutely include happy and sad songs in our worship: both are part of life, and God is worthy of our praise through both. Yet, let’s also make sure our worship is a lot more “wedding” than “funeral” – because Jesus isn’t dead. He is alive, and He invites us to celebrate with Him.
All throughout the Bible, people experience God's presence, power, and joy when they sing together. It's time for us to join the song!