It is cruel to remove a man’s coat on a cold day, for doing so only makes him colder. It is absurd to pour vinegar into soda, for the vinegar only dissolves the soda leaving a fizzy mixture. Similarly, it is unfitting to sing and express frivolous joy around those with sore, wounded hearts. A cheerful song may lift one who is mildly depressed, but it only causes more pain to one who is deeply grieving. The Bible tells us to weep with those whose weeping reveals a sore heart (Romans 12:15). Sympathetic tears form better balm than inconsiderate songs.
20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.