Originally posted: 9/10/2020

“But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
Who gives songs in the night,” (35:10).

I wondered, did Job feel conviction as he heard Elihu’s words of rebuke? Did he remember every word that had slipped off his tongue in his misery?

“‘For he adds rebellion to his sin;
He claps his hands among us,
And multiplies his words against God,’” (Job 34:37).

“So Job opens his mouth emptily;
He multiplies words without knowledge.” (35:16).

I’m no theologian, but it seems to me that some of the things Job alleged against God were actually dishonoring. And while the Psalms offer countless examples of presenting honest questions before God, Scripture definitely cautions us about going on at the mouth.

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise, (Proverbs 10:19).

He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding, (Proverbs 17:27).

And perhaps, Job is beginning to sense he’s gone too far in his limited understanding. Being in this dark place of confusion, wondering if the sun would ever rise on him again, did some glimmer of truth break through? And then I wondered, did Job grab onto any hope amidst the chastisement thrust upon him?

Although the accusatory finger was pointed straight in his direction, there were those whispers of hope, that if given the chance, just might erupt into song.

Whispers of His All-sufficiency (35:7) and of His teaching to make us wise (35:11). And although Elihu was castigating those who refused to call on God as their Creator, did the truth that He Gives Songs in the Night spark a memory?

“But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
Who gives songs in the night, (35:10).

For isn’t that exactly what Job needed, a Song in his Night to silence his own words? Job was definitely in a season of Night, a season of darkness and loneliness, confusion and fear, depression threatening to give in to despair. And the Night often forces its way in, daring to ask the questions that penetrate into our very souls: Is He only with us when all is well, only as we bask in the light of His blessings? Are God’s earthly blessings the ultimate sign of His approval?

And I guess that’s what we all have to come to grips with. And the best place to wrestle darkness is in the Light of His Word; and as we seek Him, we are sure to come face to face with Him Who Gives Songs in the Night.

Consider Him Who Gives Songs in the Night

God is our salvation and He Himself is our strength. He Gave Himself for us; He is the very Song He Gives.

The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation, (Psalm 118:14).

“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation,” (Isaiah 12:2).

…Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma, (Ephesians 5:2).

And every Song He Gives flows from His heart of love and joy for all who receive His mighty salvation.

“The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing,” (Zephaniah 3:17 BSB).

And no matter how dark the Night may seem, it will never overcome His Light.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it, (John 1:5).

And if we will fix our faith on His Truth, He will be faithful to Give us Songs in the Night. That is surely when we need it most; when we find ourselves in the Night that gives voice to our fear, loneliness, weakness and despair.

And because He Himself is our Song, He Gives His Songs in the Night…

• …to surround us with His deliverance.
  • You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
    You surround me with songs of deliverance, (Psalm 32:7).

• …to be with us when it seems that light has gone.
  • The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
    And His song will be with me in the night,
    A prayer to the God of my life, (Psalm 42:8).

• …to remind us of His help and our joy.
  • When I remember You on my bed,
    I meditate on You in the night watches,
    ⁷ For You have been my help,
    And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy, (Psalm 63:6-7).

• …to be our guiding companion as we journey through life.
  • Your statutes are my songs
    In the house of my pilgrimage, (Psalm 119:54).

How do we respond to Him Who Gives Songs in the Night?

Although written by Asaph, the following captures much of Job’s pain and devastation.

You have held my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
⁵ I have considered the days of old,
The years of long ago.
⁶ I will remember my song in the night;
I will meditate with my heart,
And my spirit ponders,
⁷ Will the Lord reject forever?
And will He never be favorable again? (Psalm 77:4-7).

Sometimes the Night feels as though it will go on forever, with no end in sight.

In those times, we can be honest with God, but rather than straining to explain why the Night has come, what we need to do is remember the Songs in the Night He has already Given. When life doesn’t feel good, we need to intentionally call to our remembrance the truth that He Is Good, all the time. And in His perfect time, He will make all things right.

Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.
⁵ For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning, (Psalm 30:4-5).

Rather than fixating on the troubles of our day, let us choose to focus on Him Who Gives Songs in the Night. While the circumstances may not change, our outlook and capacity to bear up under the weight of it all certainly will.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad, (Proverbs 12:25).

We know the day is coming when at last, and forever, there will be no more Night.

And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. ²⁵ In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; (Revelation 21:23-35).

Until then, let us remember the Songs He has Given in the past. As we do, He will be faithful to Give us new Songs for today, even when we find ourselves in the Night. Oh, let us ask Him to Give us His new Songs, that others may also hear of His praises, that they too may trust in Him Who Gives Songs in the Night.

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones, (Psalm 149:1).

I will sing a new song to You, O God;
Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, (Psalm 144:9).

O sing to the Lord a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him, (Psalm 98:1).

Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth, (Psalm 96:1).

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord, (Psalm 40:3).

Let’s Grow Together!