Sing it out

James Cathcart January 07, 2026 4 1

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Jeremiah 31: 7-14 (NIVUK)

7 This is what the Lord says:

‘Sing with joy for Jacob;
    shout for the foremost of the nations.
Make your praises heard, and say,
    “Lord, save your people,
    the remnant of Israel.”

8 

See, I will bring them from the land of the north
    and gather them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the lame,
    expectant mothers and women in labour;
    a great throng will return.

9 

They will come with weeping;
    they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead them beside streams of water
    on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,
    and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

10 

‘Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
    proclaim it in distant coastlands:
“He who scattered Israel will gather them
    and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.”

11 

For the Lord will deliver Jacob
    and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.

12 

They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
    they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord –
the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,
    the young of the flocks and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,
    and they will sorrow no more.

13 

Then young women will dance and be glad,
    young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
    I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

14 

I will satisfy the priests with abundance,
    and my people will be filled with my bounty,’
declares the Lord.

What makes you sing?

An absolute belter coming on the radio? Your team’s promising new signing finding the back of the net? The lights going off and the be-candled cake coming in from the kitchen? An over-enthusiastic choirmaster? 

What makes you sing?

When the theme tune kicks in? When the jingle comes on for the traffic report? When a busker brays out: “To-day is gonna be the day, that they’ve going to throw it back to you…”

What makes you sing?

The song from your wedding day? The album that you got when you turned 14? The wheels on the bus?

What makes you sing?

The minister at 11am on a Sunday.

What makes you sing?

A songwriter that nails a painful breakup? Standing shoulder to shoulder in a peaceful demonstration? A tribute to a loved one’s passing? 

What makes you sing?

Getting a little one to sleep? Interminable road trips? Long vigils through the night? Bringing back memories to a loved one?

What makes you sing?

The love of God? The beauty of a sunrise? The delight of being reunited? A traditional folk song that you feel in your bones?

What makes you sing?

Celebration? Worship? Relief? Frustration? Fear? Happiness? Heartbreak? Lament? Joy? Love? Gladness?

All of the above? 

We are human beings and we sing from near enough first breath as we sustain speech over a pattern of sounds. The mathematics of the heart. The soul laid bare. We sing aloud and in our hearts, a God-given gift to connect.

And God listens.

Prayer:

Lord in Heaven,

Gather up all our songs

from us your singers 

reunite us

reknit us

restitch us.

Amen.