Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. – Psalm 30:4

Today's Scripture Reading (August 15, 2025): Psalm 30

I am "that guy" who, when you say something, it reminds me of a song. I have friends who don't want to watch musicals because that is not the way life works; they argue that there is no place in this world of ours where you are going through the mundane activities of life and then suddenly you break into song, except …

I love the musical "Fiddler on the Roof, but specifically the song and dance number "If I Were a Rich Man." The song begins with Tevye working alone in a barn, doing the mundane things that agricultural life requires. And amid his chores, he begins to pray to God (which, by the way, is also something that I do.) As he prays in the midst of the mundane, he makes this comment to God.

Oh dear Lord, you made many, many poor people. I realize, of course, that it's no shame to be poor. But it's no great honor either. So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune (Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof)?

And then Tevye begins to sing.

If I were a rich man
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum
All day long I'd biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work hard.
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum
If I were a biddy biddy rich
Idle-diddle-didle-didle man (If I Were a Rich Man, Fiddler on the Roof).

If you don't want to believe that this kind of song and dance is part of real life, then don't surprise me when I think I am working alone, because that is often the way my day goes.

My kids and grandkids are used to saying something and having me pick up the comment by singing a song. My youngest grandchild commented on something that dropped on her "tummy," only to hear her grandfather start to sing.

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy,
I got love in my tummy.
And I feel like a-loving you.
Love, you're such a sweet thing,
Good enough to eat thing,
And that's just a-what I'm gonna do (Yummy Yummy Yummy. Joey Levine and Arthur Resnick).

She still sometimes talks about love in her tummy when we share a meal.

David seems to understand the musical life. And so, he tells his readers to sing out their praises to God. And it is not just an instruction of what we are supposed to do when we attend a church service, but what we are to do in the mundane moments of life. I admit, a significant portion of my daily prayer life comes in the form of a song. I praise God with a song, but I also express my questions and concerns with songs that pop into my head or arise from my heart. Believe it or not, sometimes a song describes how I am feeling better than any prayer that I could speak. Amid the song, my heart understands that I am praising His Holy name.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Psalm 31

Personal Note: Happy 44^th Anniversary to my wife. I am not sure why she puts up with me, but she does.