“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”
The Feast
This psalm describes a joy so genuine it was noticed by outsiders, then said they among the heathen, the LORD hath done great things for us. This overflow was not contained entirely within the community experiencing it. It spilled outward, visible enough that those outside the faith community actually noticed and commented on it directly.
This closes this movement’s arc with a needed picture of overflow’s genuine, external visibility. Filled with laughter, filled with singing, this is not restrained, private gladness carefully contained, but overflow visible enough to prompt outsiders’ own genuine observation, the LORD hath done great things, recognized even by those watching from outside.
This is worth examining against however much your own joy has remained entirely private, unnoticed by anyone outside your own immediate circle, missing this psalm’s picture of overflow genuinely visible, external, prompting even outsiders to notice and comment on what God has actually done.
Consider today whether your own overflow might become visible enough for others to genuinely notice, filled with laughter, filled with singing, not restrained or hidden, but overflowing outward the way this psalm describes, worth others noticing and asking about, the great things the LORD hath done for you.
Keep the Feast
- Notice whether your own joy has remained entirely private, unnoticed by anyone outside.
- Let your overflow become visible today, filled with laughter, not restrained or hidden.
- Consider what outsiders might genuinely notice if your own joy overflowed this openly.
Prayer
Lord, fill my mouth with laughter, and my tongue with singing, visibly enough that others might notice the great things you have done for me, the way this psalm describes. Amen.
Carry this today
Genuine overflow is visible enough that even outsiders notice and comment.