Make a Joyful Noise

           Recently, some friends and I visited a local Assisted Living facility.  We weren’t sure what to expect but went with the plan of singing hymns with the residents.  The hymns were a big hit, and even though we provided the words, many of them sang from memory.  It was evident that both the music and the memories brought joy to these elderly Saints.

            Music has often been a subject of controversy in the Church.  Should you use instruments?  Should you dance in celebration?  Should you sing hymns or are the worship songs more appropriate?  Should music be a major part of our Worship?  Everyone has an opinion on most of those questions, and unfortunately, they are often cause for discord and sometimes even division within congregations.

            When God talked about sacrifices in the book of Hosea, He made it clear that He desired mercy or faithfulness rather than empty sacrifices (Hosea 6: 6).  In Hebrews, the writer tells us that God is concerned with the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts (Hebrews 4: 12).  I think that when we apply this to music, the right answer is found in what we are trying to convey through music, or to be more precise:  what is our heart motivation? 

From the time that the Israelites were rescued from Egypt, God has been worshipped in song.  Scripture after scripture joins joy, praise, thanksgiving, shouts, and instruments in the celebration of God’s goodness.  Psalm 100: 1 says “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (KJV), so even my off-key singing may be “music” to God’s ears!

Music is an essential part of our worship.  David acknowledged that when he designated certain men to oversee the music in the House of the Lord.  The Psalms, which were written to be sung, accompanied by stringed instruments, reflect that over and over.

Psalm 33 1“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
   it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy” (NIV).

Psalm 95 “1Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song” (NIV).

These are just a few of the examples of bringing praise to our Lord, acknowledging who He is and what He has done, and giving joy to those who join in the praise. 

I know that the residents of that home were filled with joy that day.  It was evident on their faces and in their responses.  Some of them began to sing immediately when we announced the name of the hymn.  One had her eyes closed and seemed to be asleep but when we sang, her lips were moving.  One, in particular, shared that she had sung in the choir in her church and her joy in singing those hymns once more was evident in the smile on her face. 

You may be like me, a less-than-average singer.  You may not be able to play an instrument.  None of that matters to God.  He’s looking at your heart as He listens to your music, so make a joyful noise before Him!

                                                                       Psalm 100 

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