Songs in the Night

C.H. Spurgeon.

Job 35:10-11

But none said, Where is God my maker, who gives songs in the night;…

The world hath its night. It seems necessary that it should have one. Night is one of the greatest blessings man enjoys. Yet night is to many a gloomy season. Yet even night has its songs. Man, too, like the great world in which he lives, must have his night. And many a night do we have — nights of sorrow, of persecution, of doubt, of bewilderment, of anxiety, of oppression, of ignorance — nights of all kinds, which press upon our spirits, and terrify our souls.

I. WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF THESE "SONGS IN THE NIGHT"? God our Maker. Any fool can sing in the day. It is easy enough for an AEolian harp to whisper music when the wind blows; the difficulty is for music to come when no wind blows. What does the text mean, when it asserts that God giveth songs in the night? Two answers.

1. Usually in the night of a Christian's experience God is his only song. We can sacrifice to ourselves in daylight — we only sacrifice to God by night.

2. He is the only one who inspires songs in the night. It is marvellous how one sweet word of God will make whole songs for Christians.

II. WHAT IS GENERALLY THE MATTER CONTAINED IN A SONG IN THE NIGHT? What do we sing about? About the yesterday that is over; or else about the night itself; or else about the morrow that is to come.

III. WHAT ARE THE EXCELLENCIES OF SONGS IN THE NIGHT ABOVE ALL OTHER SONGS? A song in the night of trouble is sure to be a hearty one. The songs we sing in the night will be lasting. They will be those which show a real faith in God. Such songs prove that we have true courage and true love to Christ.

IV. SHOW THE USE OF SUCH SONGS. It is useful to sing in the night of our troubles, because thus we may cheer ourselves: because God loves to hear His people sing. Because it will cheer your companions. Because it is one of the best arguments in favour of your religion.

(C.H. Spurgeon.)