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1 O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2 The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. 5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. 7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. 8 Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy 9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98 NRSV)
What kind of joyful noises do you make, dear Friend? I mean, do you whistle? Do you hum? Do you sing? Do you tap your toes? Stomp your feet? Slap your legs? The psalmist played a number of musical instruments and so as he praised God he was ready and used them all. I know a little music from my time in band, only treble cleft and I couldn't name the notes now if my life depended on it, but I can whistle and just now was whistling after having watched episode two of Ken Burns' Country Music on PBS (We recorded it and as time permits we watch it). As we read today's passage, we are aware of the responses that may come naturally for some while others may find it necessary to prod it out of themselves and still others who hide any musical response because of fear they may not sound good, etc. David is affirming what he loved to stress; God has done marvelous things and for that we should sing, hum, stomp, whatever, to make known our thankfulness to Him. And since most of the psalms were meant to be sung as hymns, David's favorite form of praise was making joyful noises with the musical instruments he had mastered.
In these hymns, David inserted the theological thoughts he wanted to convey. And what a list that is! God has done marvelous things. God has won many a victory, even to the point of vindication in the sight of other nations. God has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the people of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. This merits our praise and worship; and nature will follow our example. The sea will roar, as will what fills the oceans. The floods will clap their hands, and the hills will sing together for joy at the sight and presence of the Lord; for He is coming to judge the earth with His righteousness and equity.
Someone once said, "When you sing, you pray twice." And some believe it was Saint Augustine that said it, but research on the Internet show most folks are skeptical that he said it or even wrote it. Yet, the sentiment for many holds true, that a heartfelt song goes as an extra offering, so a song equals two prayers. How about you? Is your praise music from your heart making its way to Heaven? Or, are you letting the distractions of this life silence your joy? Sister, Brother, let nothing stop your praise! Sing and sing loudly! We have a God that never quits who deserves our praise!
PRAYER: Loving God, hear my heart and hear my joy. You deserve all that I can possibly lift up in honor and praise to You. Help me to make a joyful noise wherever and whenever. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Seriously, make a joyful noise!
Blessings of love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
As we pray, please pray for Evelyn Clark's daughter, Vicki, whose biopsy found Stage 1 breast cancer; also Bob, her husband was back in ER with an allergic reaction. Also, Mr. Pal Lester is recovering from hip replacement surgery that he received yesterday in Gonzales. And why do we pray? Because God answers prayers! The Rev. Ellen Ely, of FUMC Marble Falls reported today that all spots and scares of a return of her cancer were gone and doctors at MD Anderson postponed further tests because she was all clear! We thank God for those news and we rejoice in our sister's recovery. Pray for one another and pray for yourselves.
