“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”
Psalm 100:1
“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”
C. S. Lewis
Have you ever wondered why Psalms says “make a joyful noise”? I think I have an idea. I come from a large family that can by noisy at times. We are always at our noisiest when we are having a good time and enjoying the moment. We are also a musical family with my father playing bluegrass guitar by ear, two sisters who were church pianists, and I played classical piano. We all sang though. My mother had me sitting on her lap in the choir before I could talk. She sang with enthusiasm and joy. My mother, however, was tone deaf. I remember as a child asking her to stop singing, but she never did. She was making a joyful noise to her Father in Heaven, and it didn’t matter what other people thought.
“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” C. S. Lewis Share on XBe Happy
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 100:2
I don’t know about you, but when I’m happy, I tend to hum or sing, especially in the car. I sing in the church choir because I love music, but even if you aren’t feeling “happy” singing can turn sadness into joy. When we are in the presence of the Lord – and we are always in the presence of the Lord – we feel joy. We’re not always “happy” because life is difficult, but we can have joy even then. So, sing in His presence even if you’re not feeling it at the moment. It’ll do your soul good.
Be His
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3
Just knowing we are His should bring us joy. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep so that we could have eternal life and life abundant here on earth. Psalm 23 lays out how the shepherd cares for our every need. If that’s not enough reason to make a joyful noise, what is?
Be Thankful
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5
Last of all, when you are not “feeling it,” make a gratitude list. When you start thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for, the other things will pale in comparison. It also changes your mindset. If you can’t be joyful, at least be thankful. That’s enough reason to make a noise for God. My friend Adria Wilkins has a book called The Joy Box Journal that helps you find joy in the little things.
Make a Joyful NoiseMy mother sang a joyful noise unto God, and no matter what it may sound like here on earth, it is still music to God’s ears. I’m pretty sure every time my mother sang God elbowed an angel and said, “That’s my kid. Ain’t she great?” Share on X
So, let’s stop looking around to see who is looking at us, and let’s look up to the one we are singing to. My mother sang a joyful noise unto God, and no matter what it may sound like here on earth, it is still music to God’s ears. I’m pretty sure every time my mother sang God elbowed an angel and said, “That’s my kid. Ain’t she great?”
Make a joyful noise!
Amen Ms. Linda. Mama used to always say, “When you’re feeling blue, make a joyful noise unto the Lord, and if you mean it, He will lift your spirits in the process. So keep singing, boy!” Thank you for the wonderful reminder my friend.