Sing With Joy
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:1-2
Psalm 100 was the first scripture I ever memorized, in the 3rd grade. I did this because our choir director was teaching us a song to sing in worship based on this psalm, and we had to memorize the words so we could look at the congregation, smile, and encourage them to love to sing for God. That experience planted something deep in me—a love for joyful worship and a recognition of how powerful it is to praise God with a sincere heart.
The psalm begins:
"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy."
This call isn’t just for a select few—it’s for all the earth! God invites every voice to join the chorus of praise. Whether you sing in a choir, in the car, or quietly in your heart, worship is a joyful response to the goodness of God.
The rest of Psalm 100 reminds us why we sing:
"Know that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture."
What a comfort to belong to The God who created us, who watches over us, and who calls us His own. And because He is good, His love endures forever, and His faithfulness continues through all generations, we can worship with hearts full of gladness and gratitude.
Psalm 100 isn't just a childhood memory—it's a lifelong invitation to enter God’s presence with joy. All these years later, I still can't help smiling when I sing for God.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the joy of worship. Thank You for inviting us into Your presence with singing and gladness. Help us to remember Your goodness and faithfulness every day. May our worship be more than just words—may it come from grateful hearts that know You, trust You, and love You. Teach us to carry joy with us. And let our worship always point others to Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.