There is a beautiful story which tells of songbirds being brought over the sea. There were thirty-six thousand, mostly canaries. The sea was very calm when the ship first sailed, and the little birds were silent. They kept their little heads under their wings and not a note was heard. But the third day out at sea, the ship struck a furious gale. The passengers were terrified. Children wept. Then a strange thing happened. As the tempest reached its height, the birds began to sing, first one, then another, until the thirty-six thousand were singing as if their little throats would burst.

When the storm rises in its fury, do we then begin to sing? Should not our song break forth in tenfold joy when the tempest begins?

I can hear the songbirds singing their refrain It is morning in my heart; And I know that life for me begins again, It is morning in my heart. It is morning, it is morning in my heart, Jesus made the gloomy shadows all depart; Songs of gladness now I sing, For since Jesus is my King, It is morning, it is morning in my heart.

O God, wilt Thou teach us to begin the music of heaven! Grant us grace to have many rehearsals of eternal Hallelujahs! “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Psalm 103:1 KJV)!

Try singing! Singing in the storm!

When thou has eaten and are full, . . . thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God.—One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.—He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks.—The blessing of the Lord , it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Bless the Lord , O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord , O my soul, . . . who forgiveth all thine iniquities; . . . who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord : the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.—The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.—Bless the Lord , O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Is any merry? let him sing psalms.—Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord ; giving thanks always for all things.—Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.—Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again, I say, Rejoice.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord , all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.—For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

He . . . spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.—Having yet . . . one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!—Bless the Lord , O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.