Singing and Complaining

Exodus 15

            I was very fortunate as a boy to have parents who took the Bible seriously. They both set an example for me on that score and also made sure that I had access to age-appropriate Bibles from a young age. In those days, probably before I was even a teenager, I remember learning James 3:9, With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

            That verse is on display in Exodus 15! The first three quarters of the reading records the Israelites song of praise after the deliverance at the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds, whatever: see yesterday’s reflection…) That deliverance follows a long time of oppression, a time of intense suffering and repeatedly dashed hopes, and a totally unexpected rescue, a rescue against all hope. How else can they respond but in song?

            I think that in our day we have lost a sense of what singing is for. Singing has become in our society largely mere entertainment. We go to a concert to hear someone else sing. But singing helps us express things that are difficult to express, ranging from unspeakable joy to unspeakable woe. I watched an episode of the Netflix series The Crown last night. In it, 116 school children were killed in a landslide caused by irresponsible mining practices. The grieving parents and townspeople expressed their sorrow by singing a hymn. It gave voice to emotions they otherwise couldn’t express. Or consider Christmas. No one wants to come to a Christmas service without singing, especially familiar Christmas carols. It’s not just nostalgia; it expresses deeply held convictions.

            All of this explains why singing is so central in church. It gives voice to our faith in deep and mysterious ways. And churchly singing is not a spectator activity; it’s better when we join our voices (and, by extension, our hearts) to the song. Over the years, I’ve had people say, “But I’m a terrible singer,” and I’ve jokingly made reference to Psalm 100:1, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” In a congregation full of people, the good singers support the poor singers, but we all add our voices. So, if I may: sing it out this weekend in church! No one cares how good or bad you are, and it’s good for your soul!

            The last quarter of the reading is striking for its contrast. Three days into the journey and the people are grumbling against Moses! The praises have dried up out of their mouths and the complaining has taken root. (Israel’s complaining is going to be a very common occurrence!) I try hard to explain Israel’s behavior in the best way, because I don’t think they’re much different from us. I’ve often had the experience of moving from great satisfaction to abject despair in the course of few days. (It actually happened this week!) But still—from the opening of the Sea before them to thinking that the Lord had abandoned them to die of thirst in three days—that’s pretty remarkable!

            I think of Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Psychologically and spiritually, no good comes out of complaining. It just focuses us on our dissatisfaction, and that blinds us to the blessings the Lord has given. And complaining rarely stays in our minds. When we dwell on the things that make us unhappy, at some point that unhappiness is going to spill out of our mouths. At that point, complaining begins to embitter those around us.  Keep an eye out for Israel’s grumbling and complaining as we work through the story and see if I’m not right.

            In the meantime reflect on the phenomenon that James pointed out, that two such different things as praise and complaining live in the same heart. Then take St. Paul’s advice, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). And remember, you, too, have received a mighty deliverance from sin, death, and the devil through the death and resurrection of Jesus, a cause of unending praise.