Psalm 66:1-4 

To the leader. A Song. A Psalm.

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
    sing the glory of his name;
    give to him glorious praise.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth worships you;
    they sing praises to you,
    sing praises to your name.”

Where is your nearest songbook? When you start each day, is there one somewhere within arm’s reach? When was the last time you deliberately set out to find an earworm, a song to stick in your head, and made sure you had all the words close at hand for when you couldn’t remember the next line? And do you make it a point to let that song crawl around inside your head for at least an hour or two, if not the rest of the day?
 
I’m not asking if you have a favorite song. I’m asking, when was the last time you went looking for a song you’ve forgotten, or hadn’t sung for a long time. When was the last time you went looking for words of praise you’ve forgotten to say?
 
I’m guilty of lazy praise. Oh, I’ve been known to tap my fingers on the steering wheel and hum along with the latest pop-Christian song being played on K-LOVE. And it’s not that the singer isn’t praising God, or that the words aren’t “spiritual” enough. Rather, it’s just that I’m ready to abandon one song with the playing of the next one, never really experiencing what it means to sing to God.
 
Furthermore, there’s something terribly passive about singing along with a recording, rather than actually being the one singing. But notice the Psalmist doesn’t just speak of the professional singers singing, and everybody else being an appreciative audience. Everyone is responsible for making their own noise; everyone is responsible for singing praises.
 
Here’s the odd thing. I can tell the difference in how much I mean the words I’m singing when I’m actually the one singing. Even when it has become that earworm that just keeps going through my head. And then I realize that my time of worship has continued long after I get up from my desk.
 
 
*devotion is a replay from 7/8/2019

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Psalm 45:10-17 or Psalm 72
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30