Psalm 89:1-18
Singing Forever

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
     with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
     your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
     I have sworn to my servant David:
'I will establish your descendants forever,
     and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
     your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
     Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
a God feared in the council of the holy ones,
     great and awesome above all that are around him?

O Lord God of hosts,
     who is as mighty as you, O Lord?
     Your faithfulness surrounds you.
You rule the raging of the sea;
     when its waves rise, you still them.
You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
     you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
     the world and all that is in it--you have founded them.
The north and the south--you created them;
     Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
You have a mighty arm;
     strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
     steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
     who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;
they exult in your name all day long,
     and extol your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength;
     by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the Lord,
     our king to the Holy One of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version

I could tell when Jack was happy by a certain sparkle in his eyes, and he was frequently happy. He generously shared his happiness with his enthusiasm, encouragement, and an incredibly quick wit. Jack could construct a pun for almost any situation, and fortunately, I witnessed him bring choir rehearsals to a laughing halt on many, many occasions. It made all of us happier to sing with someone who enjoyed singing so much, who was so eager to learn and improve and pull the rest of us along with him, and who had such a strong love for other people.

I never knew Jack when he was in good physical condition. I never knew him when his hips weren't giving him trouble, and I know he despised those times when he had to use a cane. However, Jack rarely talked about his infirmities. I never knew Jack when his voice was powerful and smooth as it had been most of his life, but he never talked to me about what he once could do, because he'd rather talk about what he still could do. He shared his years of experience with the rest of us, especially in selecting music for and coaching us in men's quartets. He always looked ahead to new pieces we could learn, new people we could include, and new opportunities to sing of God's love.

Jack was not always happy, and he engaged me several times about situations he felt should be better. He would not graciously tolerate circumstances around the church that he knew could be improved, because he knew how much stronger the church would be with those improvements. Jack was eager to work hard for those positive changes, which was just one more way that Jack spread happiness.

Jack's happiness was--and is--anchored firmly in his love for God and in God's powerful Love in his life. Jack "knew the festal shout", always celebrating God's presence and endless blessings to him. Jack trusted God completely, even as his health declined, even with the ugly surprise of spreading cancer, even when his condition prevented him from singing with the church choir this Christmas. None of us understand why any of this happened, but Jack never let unanswerable questions cause his faith to waver. All the way to the end of his earthly life, his faith was strong, his wit and humor was engaging--and he was happy because of his walk in the light of the countenance of God.

One of his closest friends pointed out that Jack is now getting to sing with his heavenly voice, and we all know that he "will sing of Your steadfast love, O Lord, forever"! We also realize that when we get to heaven, Jack will have a very tall stack of quartet music waiting for us, and he will not give us much time to settle in before we start rehearsing again. There is too much that needs to be sung, both here on earth and there in heaven, and too much happiness that needs to be shared!