Xanthe Hancox
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn— shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Psalm 98:4-6
If food is how we form and build communities, music is how we express ourselves.
And not just us humans. Music has been a part of creation since the beginning of time. From melodious song of nightingales to the squawk of hadedas, the rush of a waterfall to the dripping trees after the rain, creation is never silent.
With all its melodies and harmonies, rhythms and refrains, music is a fitting expression of worship. Worship of the holy, almighty, creator God reminds us who God is and who we are in relationship to him.
Psalm 98 is an expression of jubilant, joyful worship. The blast of the ram’s horn in this passage always reminds me of the vuvuzelas of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. With trumpets blasting, hands clapping, and people singing and shouting for joy, there is a great celebration of all the wonderful things God has done—and all creation joins in!
Every day our lives can show that we are bringing joyful worship to God. Our lives are the music that tells the story of the redemption and hope we have in Christ. Through our lives others hear the joyful music of what living in relationship with a loving God is all about. And hopefully they will want to be a part of that music too.
What music will your life express for the Lord today?
Prayer: God, you compose the melodies and harmonies of our lives, and you invite us to move in rhythm with you. May the song of our hearts be filled with joy, and may the tune of our lives be pure and true. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.