“In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.” (Pr 29:6 AV)
What is that snare? Our wise king tells us. It is the opposite of singing and rejoicing. It is misery and weeping. The righteous are not always cheerful. We are not always smiling. Life happens, and it gets us down. Sin was not the cause. We may lose someone, we are fired from our dream career, our finances are crumbling, or we are going through the wringer for our faith. Our health might fail, our home might dissolve, or our children might reject the precious faith under which they grew up. Troubles and trials happen. We don’t feel much like singing and rejoicing. However, these times pass. We heal from loss, or we find another career; our finances improve; as does our health. Relationships are reconciled or replaced, and our children return to the faith. Things improve. Singing can return. Joy can be a part of our day again. If I am reading Solomon right, living right also produces joy and singing. This often overcomes our trials without even realizing it.
My wife hums. She does so unconsciously. She just hums. All the time. I ask her what she is humming because I don’t recognize the tune. She replies that she didn’t realize that she was. I met another person who did the same. This individual is going through very deep and serious trouble. The adversary is turning a life upside down, and the times are troubling, to say the least. Of all the persons one would think humming would not exist, this would be the person and circumstances. Yet, we were riding in the car, and the passenger, as low as one could go, was humming. I shared with this person that my wife does the same thing. Like my wife, I inquired as to the tune. The humming minstrel’s reply was the same as my wife. The troubled saint did not realize they were humming. Quit a quandary. What would possess two different people to hum, even in the midst of trouble? I think our writer gives us the answer. A singing heart is a sign of a heart that is right with God. Even if that heart doesn’t realize it. Humming is a great indication of an inward condition. Catch someone humming and you might see someone who strives to live right.
A righteous heart is not limited to humming. Sundays were big days for me. They still are. In my early Christian life, I went to church in the morning, but had to work in the evening. Sunday mornings were an escape for me. It was the one time when the world, the devil, and the flesh had to take a back seat. It was the one time of the week where I met with people who loved the LORD and were not afraid to show it. Later in the day, when I went into work, the boss would often catch me singing the hymns from the morning service. Why? Because Jesus made me righteous by His blood. I wasn’t perfect. But I am redeemed. His righteousness is my righteousness. Sin may always be an issue until the day that I die, but the righteousness of Christ is my garment. I haven’t earned it. I don’t deserve it. His grace is why it came and why it stays. So, there can be a song on my lips. Joy of heart which comes by faith can be mine. Parise be to God!
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