It turns out, that feeling is deeply intertwined with our understanding of God's reign and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. how praise, singing, and the very act of rebuilding are interwoven in Jewish tradition.
Midrash Tehillim, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms, delves into Psalm 147, verse 1: "For it is good to sing praises to our God." But why is it "good"? What's so special about singing God's praises?
Well, As Isaiah (52:7) beautifully puts it, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" The moment God reigns, everything changes. A wave of good news washes over the world, and the natural response is to sing! We see this echoed in Zephaniah (3:14): "Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!" Why this outburst of joy? Because, as the verse continues, "The Lord has taken away the judgments against you."
So, when God reigns, praise erupts spontaneously. The Midrash points out that the verse preceding Psalm 147:1 proclaims, "The Lord will reign forever." The King of the universe, worthy of all praise for His Kingdom! Imagine witnessing that moment, seeing God as King – wouldn’t you want to sing, praise, and exalt? That's why Isaiah (52:7) urges, "Tell Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" And what follows? "Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the Lord restoring Zion" (Isaiah 52:8). Again, the theme of singing and rejoicing in God's reign appears in Zephaniah (3:14) when judgments are lifted.
But the Midrash then presents a striking contrast. It says a human king, even a powerful one, might find it a disgrace to answer a poor person seeking peace. Yet, God is different. Everything is acceptable to Him. He welcomes our praise, saying, "Praise Me, for it is good before Me." It's not about fulfilling some ego need for God, but rather, the act of praising is inherently good – for us and for the world.
The Midrash connects this idea of praise to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Just as God's reign is intertwined with praise and song, so too is the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The text states, "Just as the Lord is King in praise and songs, so Jerusalem is not built except in praise and songs." Think of it: the act of rebuilding is not just a construction project, but a spiritual endeavor fueled by joy and gratitude.
We see this illustrated in the rebuilding of the Second Temple, led by Hiram. Ezra (3:10-11) tells us, "When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the direction of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever toward Israel." The foundation was laid with song, praise, and thanksgiving!
So, what does this all mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that even in our own lives, the act of praising and expressing gratitude can be a powerful force for building and rebuilding. Whether it's rebuilding relationships, rebuilding our own sense of self, or contributing to the rebuilding of our communities, singing praises – in whatever form that takes – can be a vital part of the process. It is a way of acknowledging the presence of God in our lives and expressing our faith in a brighter future. The next time you feel that urge to sing, embrace it! You might just be laying the foundation for something truly beautiful.