Sing for Joy

On a recent day off I was on a motorcycle trip to explore some roads in Western Australia, and was enjoying a lunch break at a pie shop. By the tables in the outdoor eating area a man was playing a small harp, and the music was delightful. It really added to the enjoyment of my meal. Later that evening I was particularly thrilled when my daughter began to sing with her little 21 month old daughter. They were singing some songs from little Ava’s favourite DVD. One song has a line that ends with ‘set them free!’ which Ava sings along to in perfect pitch and with a gigantic smile. My heart soars as I hear her sing “set them fwee” in her cute little voice.

Singing and music are gifts from God that somehow have the ability to touch our human spirit. Music appears throughout the Bible in many contexts – national ceremonies, informal gatherings, to calm an irate king, to lead the army into battle.

Our passage today invites us to sing and make music in our hearts. For many that is a relief – make a joyful noise could better describe the actual sounds that many of us make when we sing! But it’s a heart response, not based on virtuosity on a musical instrument or having the voice of an opera singer.

The final part of the verse indicates both the reason for singing and the One whom we are ultimately singing to. The Lord gives us a reason to sing. The Psalms are essentially songs. They contain praise – acknowledging what God is like and what He has done. So, for example, the Psalms invite us to sing of His strength, His great love, and His justice. (Psalm 59:16; 89:1; 101:1). Individually, and together, we allow our voices to resonate with our hearts – ‘my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’ (Luke 1:46-7).

Today, let’s sing and make music in our hearts to the Lord!

Prayer: Father, Your love for me is amazing. You even rejoice over Your people with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I want to sing Your praises with all my heart.