Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
(Psalm 98:4 ESV)
At the heart of this verse is the Hebrew word rua (רוּעַ), pronounced roo-ah. It is the verb translated “make a joyful noise” or “shout for joy.” It’s not a timid word. It describes a sound so overwhelming that it can’t stay bottled up inside.
In the ancient world, rua was the cry of an army charging into battle or celebrated a hard-won victory. It was the thunder of voices erupting when a king entered the city gates. This was not polite applause, but the response of people who had witnessed something so great that silence was no longer an option.
That may stretch us a little. Many of us are more comfortable with quiet reverence than exuberant praise. We prefer calm tones and orderly services. And there is certainly a place for stillness. But rua reminds us that there are moments when the goodness of God deserves more than just a whisper.
Psalm 98 begins by declaring that the Lord has done marvelous things. His right hand and holy arm have worked salvation. He has remembered His steadfast love to Israel. Everyone on earth has seen His victory. A shout for joy is the only natural response to who God is and what He has accomplished.
It’s important for us to see that rua is not noise for the sake of noise. It grows out of remembrance. The Israelites had seen their slavery turned to freedom, the Red Sea parted, water flowed from rocks, bread came from heaven, enemy nations fell. When they shouted rua, they weren’t just being enthusiastic. They were responding to what God had done.
The same pattern applies to us. Before we can shout, we must first remember. We think about what God has done for us. We call to mind answered prayers, forgiven sins, strength in times of weakness. A shout of joy without gratitude is just volume. But a shout of joy rooted in the memory of what God has done is worship in its fullest form.
The psalm says, “Make a joyful noise… all the earth.” This is not a command reserved for the musically gifted. It’s not limited to trained singers or confident extroverts. It’s for everyone. You don’t have to hit every note perfectly to obey this verse. Rua is about sincerity and joy, not technical ability.
It is a word that calls us out of half-hearted worship and into wholehearted celebration. It reminds us that our God is not small, and our praise should not be either.
So make a joyful noise to the Lord. Let gratitude rise from deep within you. Join the rivers that clap their hands and the hills that sing for joy. Lift your voice with joy. The God who does done so much for us is worthy of a shout!
Prayer: Lord, You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when our praise has grown quiet. Fill our hearts with fresh gratitude. Teach us to remember Your faithfulness and to lift our voices with bold and sincere joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day