“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”
Psalm 95:1, ESV

If your church experience has been anything like mine, you’ve heard the term “joyful noise” quite a bit in your life. Sometimes it’s used to encourage that person who doesn’t join in on Sunday worship because they claim they can’t sing. Sometimes it’s used after they do start singing to remind the people around them that God appreciates the effort. 

So what is the difference between a joyful noise and something that is just, well, noise?

If you look through all the times in the Bible where noises are connected with joy you’ll find singing and musical instruments, of course, but you’ll also find shouting, clapping, dancing, and whole host of other exuberant sound creating activities. Since those same activities also bring condemnation at other points in the Bible, we can safely assume it isn’t the noise itself that determines its joyfulness. 

Good noise

As a parent of three, I took some time to consider what sorts of favorable noises my children make. There are the typically preferred noises such as laughter, singing, and shouts of glee, but there are lots of other noises that fill me with light as well. Mumbled conversations as they work together or help each other with a problem. Voices that occasionally shout but utlimately work out a way to share the video game console. The constant beep of their frequently snoozed alarm clock that they set themselves to take responsibility for their mornings. The wail of “Mom” that comes when they decide to ask for help. Oh, and silence. That indicator of peace can sometimes bring a lot of joy into our home. 
The only thing these noises have in common is they way they indicate how my family is growing together and as individuals, how we love each other, and how we prioritize each other over our problems. 

The need for noise

Throughout the Bible, God shows us indications that He is the same way. It isn’t as much about the noise we are making as it is about why we are making the noise in the first place. Are we singing to impress those around us or to worship the Lord? Speaking to feel more important than others or because we want to connect with them on a deeper level? Are we filling our days with content that brings us closer to God or things that increase our anxiety about the state of the world? Noise can easily be used to drown out things we don’t want to hear or think about. All too often, the things we don’t want to hear are the ones God is trying to tell us. We don’t want to change or give up our comforts to become more holy or care for those around us. 

The best noise

So we turn up the noise. We watch more news, scroll more social media, listen to more pastors, read more books, and take on more responsibilities. That way we’re too busy to consider whether or not our noise is joyful to the Lord. As much as we may wish it, there isn’t a one size fits all solution to this problem. It may be that what God wants to hear from you right now is silence as you take the time to listen to Him. Or it may be that your voice has been too quiet and the sharing or your thoughts, ideas, and understandings would make the Lord happy. One thing is certain- it’s time to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. If we don’t, nature itself will take our place. (Luke 19:40).

Let’s fill our ears and our mouths with noises God will appreciate. 

Kristi Ann Hunter