A fellow made the news — and history — just by screaming on this day in 2004. That person was none other than Howard Dean, Democratic presidential candidate from Vermont. It all happened at a post-Iowa caucus rally.
For some unknown reason, his third-place finish in Iowa invigorated him. With great enthusiasm, he pumped up the crowd by listing all the states where he was going to go and take them by storm. He concluded his remarks by shouting “…and then we’re going to Washington, D.C., to take back the White House! Yeah!” His “Yeah!” sounded freakishly high pitched, more like a yelp, as his voice cracked. Those in the audience didn’t seem to notice. They just kept cheering while he pumped his fist and smiled as if he had just won it all.
That’s all it took to torpedo his campaign. Clips of what was now known as “The Dean Scream” began playing on the news and late-night television. Comedians had ample fodder for routines and would use his screaming antics in skits. His own party began to turn against him, separating themselves from him as if he were contagious. One gaffe and his whole campaign crumbled.
Watching the clips on YouTube, his “Yeah!” may not have been as bad if he hadn’t done it right in the mic. You have to wonder if some of the odd sound wasn’t caused by the audio clipping in response to his exuberance. Either way, the damage was done, and his excited exclamation became his signature accomplishment.
Dean isn’t the only one who has gotten caught up in the excitement. King David had his moment.
2 Samuel 6 tells the story of the ark of the covenant being brought home from the house of Obededom to the city of David. This was a time of celebration, and the Jewish people were not reserved in their joy, including David. His excitement, though, wasn’t pleasing to everyone.
2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23 says, “And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart… 20) Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! (21) And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. (22) And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. (23) Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.”
The Believer’s Bible Commentary says of this passage, “He answered that his dancing was an expression of his joy in the Lord and intimated that he did not intend to stifle his enthusiasm for the things of God. He would let himself be even more despised by men and humble in his own sight…” Had David done something immodest or improper? Absolutely not. Instead, he worshipped as a humble, common person. He didn’t retreat into the regalia of his office, believing it would be too undignified to offer God exuberant praise.
David Guzik in The Enduring Word Commentary throws out this caveat which must also be considered. “This is not a justification for everything in the context of worship. When David considered the context of the procession and the whole setting, his conscience was clear. He knew his dancing wasn’t inappropriate to the setting or context. Someone who acts inappropriately to the setting or context of a meeting can’t simply justify it by saying, “It was before the LORD.”
In the New Testament, we are told to “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) Doing what David did in the middle of a church service would NOT be decent and in order. But, in the context of the events in the city of David, it would seem that David’s response was righteous and highly appropriate.
Do I suggest that we just cut loose and worship God as the mood strikes us since we are told in Psalms 32:11 to “Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” If we’re happy in the Lord, is it appropriate to let out our own sanctified “Dean Scream” in the middle of our work? Should we do this at church?
Probably not! The disruption that would be caused would not glorify anyone except the person doing the shouting. And it really wouldn’t be much “glory.”
As the church joins together to worship and celebrate our Lord, what’s wrong with us being excited and joyful? Why shouldn’t we sing with exuberance? What can’t we let out a hearty amen and praise the Lord?
Don’t scream, though. You’d scare someone half to death!
