I entered my teen years in the 1970s. The Jesus Movement was in full swing. I will never forget the first time I walked into the sanctuary of our church and saw drums. (The term Worship Center was pretty much unknown at that time.) The drums sat next to wall by the piano. 

This appearance led to two immediate and opposite reactions. First, due to my age and musical interests, was delight. Second, was terror. We had some old people (Old People: Anyone older than 30 in a fundamental Baptist church) who were in danger of experiencing strokes or heart attacks at the sight of those heathen instruments. 

That was then. This is now. Perhaps you have noticed how just about every church has drums now, and more, so much more. 

As the influence of rock music became more widespread in churches, some of the older or more traditional souls among us derisively referred to that music as Happy Clappy songs. I wonder if anyone ever said anything like that to the first recorded boy band in history, The Sons of Korah?

Psalms 44-49 are attributed to them. They had a good run of hits. How about that name? You remember Korah, right? If not, do a quick internet search for Korah’s Rebellion. This songwriting team was hip and cool before hip and cool was cool. 

Take a look at verse 1: “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” That, my friend, is a Happy Clappy song. 

Yesterday I spoke in a setting where I never expected to speak. Before and after the message, a band of college students led us in worship with a band to rival the Sons of Korah. It would have been fine with me if we had skipped the message and let those students lead us in worship for an hour. 

Here’s the thing: Every now and then, a good Happy Clappy song is what we need most. In fact, I could use one right now. How about you? Try this one on for size: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM1qrx0Huds]

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