Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
Psalm 95:1-2

Sing to the Lord
Make a joyful noise to the Lord

These two phrases run parallel all through the Bible. Singing means music, harmony. A joyful noise might be… not harmonious.

I love to hear little kids making noise in church. I know, sometimes they cry and parents have to take them out and quiet them down because the people around them can’t hear anything else. But the sound of children making joyful noises is refreshing. I love to hear them even commenting, in a childlike way, on something they just heard in a hymn or in the sermon, right out loud in their “outside” voice. It reminds me that they are actually hearing, absorbing, and taking God’s Word into their hearts. It’s wonderful!

God loves it, too. His Word says, “Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise.”

Can’t sing? Don’t worry about it. Croak it out the best you can. Make a joyful noise in worship. God hears your heart and it’s music to His ears.

Lord, send us more noisy, joyful children! Amen!

Pastor Dan Giles