Make a Joyful Noise

   The most revered of all Biblical musicians is King David.  He loved the joy only music brings and being able to use it to express his wonderment, gratitude, and love for his Creator.  To us he ecstatically proclaims in a way that has driven church music for centuries since, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

   It is in his writings we learn that the foremost expression of his love for God was through his joyous, radically uninhibited style of worship.  He is still used as the model for congregational music today in seminaries across the globe.  

    King David's admonition speaks of worshipping—not with a motivation of obligation or duty—not with a fear of our gift not being stylistically perfect enough—but by bringing the gift of ourselves through our voice with joy;  knowing we are unconditionally accepted and loved by our God and our fellow believers.

    And bring on the noise—the freedom of offering our most intimate expression of love—our song, which is vitally connected to our hearts.  What we are inspired to use when we fall in love with our newborn child, life partner, or even the beauty of the world around us with such a depth of emotion that thoughts of self-consciousness melt away.

    Being part of a group of caring people allows us this same freedom to expose and use the gift that causes our heart strings to reverberate with the emotion we feel.  The function of a song/worship leader is not to provide a standard of musical perfection; but rather to encourage and exemplify the joy of one’s song.  To let even the most cautious among us to feel they can “belt it out”, unrestrained by the fear of being heard alone or critiqued and found wanting.  To know they are surrounded by those who love the sound of each person’s unique and beautiful song.

    Make a Joyful Noise!