“Do you make that much noise when you’re by yourself?” my daughter asked me as we worked independently in the same room together. Until she’d asked, I wasn’t aware of all the random sounds falling out of my mouth and emerging from my fidgeting hands while concentrating. A few days later, working alone in my room I texted her, “Apparently I do!”
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. – Psalm 100:1 (NRSV)
The psalmist seems to be inviting us into something I’ve only recently discovered. Unlike the absent-minded and annoying noises that occur when I complete tedious tasks, I’ve noticed my noises are more pleasant when I’m engaged in things that actually feed my joy.
Now I can’t help but wonder if this directive is less about making noises that others find pleasing and more about a call for us to boisterously pursue and do the things that bring us joy. Surely “all the earth” is equipped with a beautifully diverse capacity to make noise that’s joyful.
Maybe for you that’s producing noise with an instrument or your vocal cords. It could also be the sounds that involuntarily escape your body in the throes of passion. Perhaps it’s the steady hum of a sewing machine or the click of knitting needles as you fashion your next creation or the rasp of a pencil traipsing across an empty page.
Whatever noises accompany the activities that bring you the greatest joy, make them!
It’s biblical.
Prayer
Encourage us to experience the things that bring you and us joy, extravagant God. Entice us to choose delight, contentment, and pleasure. Embolden us to be noisy about it too. Amen.
About the Author
The Rev. Phiwa Langeni is the Ambassador for Innovation & Engagement of the United Church of Christ. They are also the Founder of Salus Center, the only LGBTQ resource and community center in Lansing, MI.