SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS

Here is a wonderful psalm of joy and thanksgiving. It is the only one designated as ‘a Psalm of praise’. It describes for us who is to praise, who is to be praised, and why and how. In the five verses there are seven positive commands: make a joyful noise (shout); serve the Lord; come with singing; know the Lord; enter into His gates; be thankful; and bless His name! It describes five things that belong to Him: His courts; His name; His mercy; His goodness; and His truth. It suggests five activities in which saints may engage: shouting; serving; thanking; singing; and blessing. It reminds us that the Lord is God and that the Lord is good. It is a short psalm pulsating with manifold reasons to be exceeding and consistently joyful.

In verse 1, to ‘make a joyful noise’ is to ‘shout’. It is a shout of triumph and acclaim. Some may stand before the King silent and fearful, or in wonder and awe, overwhelmed by guilt, but believers can neither contain nor restrain - they shout out loud! The writer exhorts not only Jews, but the whole wide world to do so and this is, of course, now uniquely seen in the church as people from every tribe and nation, with all barriers broken down, acclaim the risen Lord. Then, in verse 2, we are to serve. In these circumstances the service simply cannot be dull or boring. The service of the living God is an exciting thing to which we are called, and provides a special opportunity to please Him and to enrich others. The service is rendered gladly and one feels it neither a duty nor a burden. It is something to be passionate about doing, and doing it well.

To ‘come before his presence’, v. 2, is to approach His face. It involves reverence yet intimacy. We may do so with singing. Singing is a wonderful gift and while individually some of us might not be very good at it, yet as our voices mingle with the vast choir of earth our limitations are drowned out and together we all produce ‘a sweet, sweet sound in His ear’. While the psalm is indeed looking to the future, we can prepare now. We sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord. We serve with undiluted gladness. We shout for sheer joy. Should we refrain, might not the very stones cry out in praise?