Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted.(Psa 89.15-16)
The Psalms provide examples and commands for the people of God to not be bashful with their volume in worship (Ps. 20.5, 32.11, 35.27, etc). You may rightly say that believers are not required to use their ‘inside voices’ in worship. We are free to turn up the volume.
In this particular Psalm their is great motivation for hearty praise. Believers here walk “in the light” of God’s face. That is in the presence of God’s favor and blessing. Furthermore, the content of the happiness in God is his character and actions. The disclosure of God’s person and works motivates, dictates, and sustains this hearty worship.
In reading this Psalm of God’s faithfulness to his people I am struck myself of his kindness to me. This is a Psalm that characterizes the redeemed as the shouters of praise. But I know that apart from God’s all-sufficient, sovereign grace I would not even be whispering his praise. In fact, I would have been one of those who would have been yelling, “Crucify HIM!” Prior to conversion I would mock God and his people. I would rather lose my voice in mocking him than whisper a song of his praise. Now, by the sheer grace of God, I want to join the people of God and shout together of the mighty person and work of God?!
This is indeed good and right. It is grace.
Father, make me to soak in the grace of the gospel. Remind me afresh of the waywardness of my own heart. Show me how powerful your grace is. Turn my mind and heart again and again to your saving work in Jesus. Make my words and songs reflect a passionate commitment to you. Make me to walk in the light of your face. For Jesus sake, Amen.