Main Text
Psalms 66:1-12
Watchword
Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.
Psalms 66:1-2 NKJV
Just as God commands us to thank Him because we need to be thankful (1 Chronicles 16:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:18), He also commands us to make a joyful noise, because we need to express joy to Him. God’s requirements are never made from His need, but for our good. When the fruit of the Spirit dominates our lives, we cannot help but express it—and part of that fruit is joy (Galatians 5:22). God wants us to find such joy and excitement in Him that we cannot contain it.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we desire to sing to Him and edify others. Musical talent has nothing to do with it. A joyful noise incorporates many creative expressions of praise: dancing, singing, clapping, shouting, raising hands, and playing instruments. When the focus of our hearts is God and His greatness, our noise is a sweet sound to His ears. (Ephesians 5:18–19). Praise requires concentration on the thing, person, or deity being praised while thanks tend to be focused on what the speaker has received, and it may become rather narrow and perfunctory.
This is a call to delight in God!”. This text is full of exclamatory words, words with a punch–joyful shout, sing, glory, and praise. The psalmist here is proposing vigorous worship, not quiet, or dignified worship. The psalmist is looking for worship that spills out of an overflowing heart and manifests itself in exuberant worship. The word shout can be used in a war cry, a victory cry, or a joyful shout. The context makes it clear that the psalmist is calling people to shout joyfully to God. (Psalms 66:1-2)
Confession
How awesome are Your deeds, Oh Lord, I choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of my lips giving praise to Your most holy name.
Prayer
Oh Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences in life. Amen.
Additional Reading
Psalms 95:1-2
Psalms 68:4.