This Week in the Word: Triumphant War-Cry
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth:
make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
I cannot even count how many times I have heard it quoted about those who are not vocally inclined but throw their hearts into worshiping the Lord in song. Looking deeper within the words of this much-quoted passage, however, we learn so much more about this command than to simply sing even if our voice cracks.
You’ve likely seen some movie or another that portrays a medieval battle where the soldiers run into battle screaming something along the lines of “FOR THE KING!” You can imagine it in your mind’s eye, the running, weapons raised and ready, eyes set on the enemy, determined to attack and have victory. The cry goes up as they hit the ground running, and the cry encourages and emboldens those behind them to take up the shout and run behind them toward the battle ahead, banding together for their master.
It is contagious, and it is exhilarating. This cry is piercing, and if taken up by enough of the army, if it has the effect the commanders and generals are aiming for to enflame the hearts of their soldiers for the battle ahead, if it is loud enough and piercing enough, it also insights fear into the enemy.
This war-cry is a shout of victory. It is a call for soldiers to stand and fight together as one under the banner of their master. It is a declaration of who you are standing for and fighting with. It is a shout of confidence in the side you chose.
To “make a joyful noise” is to “shout to the Lord”. This shout, this joyful noise is a war-cry. We are commanded to worship the Lord as if taking up the war-cry of the Lord’s army, ready for the spiritual battles we face every day. When we worship, we are declaring war on the enemy. When we sing God’s praises, we are shouting triumphantly in the face of the enemy, running in for the kill swords raised, together, as one, united in Him, confident in the victory He has already won.
Worship is our war-cry. Lift up a war-cry for the Lord, our King who is coming to judge the earth righteously and fairly. Shout for Him who is faithful and calls on us to be ready at all times for battle. Make a joyful noise for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who goes before us, behind us, and beside us into every battle we fight under His banner. He never leaves or forsakes us, is with us wherever we go, and provides us with His own armor to run to the battle and cry out for His glory and praise.
