James 5:13

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises." "Let him pray" -"one should not frivolously swear in times of adversity, but he should rather pray…. It is not suggested that the only kind of praying is to request deliverance. It is also appropriate to pray for strength to endure. Prayer in its highest sense of communion with God and adoration of Him must recognize His hand in all aspects of life" (Kent pp. 186-187). Present middle imperative, 'let him keep on praying'-instead of cursing or calling down. curse on his persecutors. In the context there is incentive to pray, for God hears the prayers of righteous people who are being oppressed (James 5:4). And in the end, God is really the only one who can do anything about the situation. In addition, when we pray, we are reminded that the person making our life miserable---also has. soul. It is hard to keep on hating an enemy when you are praying for him (Matthew 5:44)."Is anyone cheerful" -"We have. tendency to remember God when things are not going well and. tendency to forget him when they are going well. Don't do that" (Draper p. 157). "James, then wants God remembered in all situations, good as well as bad. Turning to God in need is half the truth; turning to him in praise either in the church or alone when one is cheerful (whatever the situation) is the other half. God is not just an errand boy to help human need, but one who deserves worship and praise at all times (1 Peter 4:4; 1 Peter 4:6; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16)" (Davids p. 192). Be impressed that there is nothing wrong in being cheerful, Christianity wasn't designed to be. gloomy lifestyle. "Let him sing praises" -"Let him keep on singing" (Robertson p. 64).

Point To Note:

Some have tried to argue that the Greek word rendered "sing praises" means or can mean to sing to the accompaniment of instruments. But in New Testament usage all the experts note that the word meant "to sing. hymn, to celebrate the praises of God in song" (Thayer p. 675); "to sing. hymn, sing praise" (Vine p. 58); "sing praise" (Arndt p. 891). Compare with Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; James 5:13.