Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Psalm 100:1–2, ESV
When my wife and I were dating, I would attend services with her on Sundays. She was a different tradition, so there were adjustments. One was a woman who regularly sat behind her and her mother. This person would sing loud and off-key. It was a little off-putting as a young man and I commented to my future wife about it, and she quoted this verse, “Make a joyful noise!” with a comment, “God asked us to make a joyful noise, not a beautiful noise.” God desires for us to be like this woman who sang her heart out with great joy for the Lord. She wasn’t embarrassed. In fact, she may not have known how others heard her, but she may not have cared if she did. When we praise God, He desires us to praise Him with abandon and lavishly. He doesn’t ask us to do so in order to receive praise from others, but He desires us to direct all our praise to Him. If the Lord puts a song in your heart, sing it out to Him.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.