Today's Reading: Psalm 35

Shout for Joy

Our Lord delights in the welfare of his servant! This thought alone should cause us to “shout for joy and be glad”!  Psalm 35 is a song by David where he is rejoicing in the work of God turning the tables on those who are pursuing him without a cause. He prays that the Lord will continue to contend with those who fight against him.

Throughout this joyful Psalm, David uses words of rejoicing and praise: “rejoice in the Lord”; “exulting in His salvation”; “I will praise you”; “shout for joy”; “be glad”; “great is the Lord”. David acknowledged the hand of God upon his situation and it brought his heart to a place of shouting for joy.

The word “shout” in this verse is the Hebrew word “rānan” which means to give a ringing cry, to address in a loud tone, to triumph, to shout, to still, to command, to glory. This is a shouting praise. You don’t sing it, you shout it! A shout commands our victory. It stills the enemy. This kind of praise is a battle cry; a cry of victory. Sports fans may recognize this as similar to the shout of victory they express when their team gets the final out of the ninth inning in a decisive victory. Shout for joy! Loudly!

When was the last time you “shouted for joy” to the Lord? I mean really let loose and gave a ringing cry of praise to our God? In today’s Psalm, David is calling for all those who delight in his vindication (“righteousness”) to give a mighty shout of praise to God. In the same way, God calls all of us who love His workings in our lives to shout for joy unto Him.

In the words of the song by Hillsong Paris, we are exhorted to shout our praise to God, “Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name. I sing for joy at the work of Your hands. Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have In You.” *

So, take a moment today to SHOUT for JOY like David to the Lord. Praise Him for delighting in your welfare and defending you from your enemies.  Remember, we are commanded in Psalm 100:1 to “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.” 

 

 

* “Shout to the Lord” lyrics © Music Services, Inc