69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
69:31 This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
69:32 Let the oppressed see it and be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
69:31 This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
69:32 Let the oppressed see it and be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
Psalm 69:30-32
Make a joyful noise to the Lord.
Psalm 100:1 (NRSV)
The Lord did not bless my father with a pleasant singing voice. Quite the opposite: Dad couldn’t carry a tune even if it had handles on it. Standing next to him in church made singing hymns difficult. My mother sang in the choir. My sister and I often shared a hymnal with Grandma, leaving Dad to howl in solitude at the other end of the pew. This never seemed to bother him. Each worship service found him enthusiastically adding his dissonant voice to the great hymns of the faith. He truly did make a “joyful noise” — every Sunday.
The quality of our vocal efforts is not important to God. God doesn’t care if we sing like angels or bleat like goats. God, who created us, knows our abilities. The act of praise from those who love God pleases God. When we sing in worship, we aren’t performing for the approval of the people around us. We’re lifting our voices to please God, who loves us, cares for us, and died for us.
Prayer
Dear Lord, may our songs, words, thoughts, and deeds always praise you. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”* Amen. *Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV).
Prayer focus - Those reluctant to sing
