The other day I read a thought provoking post over at the Internet Monk where he decries the way “[w]orship is now a major audience event, led by skilled entertainers, aimed at a demographic and judged by the audience reaction.” He goes on to assert:

Worship has now become a musical term. Praise and worship means music. Let’s worship means the band will play. We need to give more time to worship doesn’t mean silent prayer or public scripture reading or any kind of participatory liturgy. It means music.

After I read this post, I went away and pondered what I read and I disagree with him about the music is used as a form of worship.

I have always liked the formal liturgy that is used in Catholic and Anglican churches. There is a certain stately measure in the more formal worship service that appeals to the OCD part of my nature. It’s also the form of worship I grew up with in the Conservative Baptist church my family were members of. But there is another part of me that is drawn to music as worship.

There are seven references in Psalms about worship through songs. All of them refer to music as a “joyful noise.” I like that term. It doesn’t say “joyful harmony” so don’t worry about being able to carry a tune! Two of the references in particular point to music as a form of worship:

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Have you ever been to a Southern Baptist or Full Gospel (Pentecostal) church service? They really know how to make a joyful noise! If you allow yourself to get completely caught up in the joyful singing, you can be raised up to a place where all your burdens, distress, unhappiness, and all the other negative thoughts and feelings drop away.

I can’t think of a better way to place all your burdens in God’s hands – submission, acknowledgment,  praise, and adoration all wrapped up in music. So make a joyful noise –in church, at home, in your car… turn up the music and sing along at the top of your lungs. It’s good for body, mind and soul.