Psalm 95:2 – Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Verse 1 of this chapter extends to us an invitation: Come praise the Lord with me! And verse 2 adds a little more explanation: Let’s go right into God’s presence and say “Thank you!”
Presence – In company before the face of another; approach face to face.
The Psalmist gives the idea that our singing, joyful noise and thanksgiving usher us right into the throne room of Heaven! And there is no doubt about it that our thanks gives us the ear of our God.
I love that the Psalmist asks us to make some noise!
Noise is described as “a sound of any kind.” Further explanation is “a loud sound of clamor or outcry.” Then the definition is continued as “frequent talk, much public conversation.”
Sometimes, when we give God our thanks, it’s a loud and noisy: “Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!!!” Those times are so exuberant and joyous and memorable. We love it when God shows up in a big way and we can just shout “Thank you so much, Lord!” from the rooftops.
Then there are times of rich conversation, when we’re with one or more people and our words of thanks just go back and forth. We share an experience of God’s goodness, then our neighbor shares one of his own. Before you know it, there’s a wonderful session of thanksgiving going on in the middle of the store, on the sidewalk, in the salon or in the church house.
I think of our church’s Wednesday night service before Thanksgiving, when the pastor opens the floor to anyone who wants to share what the Lord has been doing for them. It’s always a powerful time of giving thanks to our Lord God.
But there are also times, when we’re so moved by the goodness of God that our words nearly fail us. Our spirits and minds are so overwhelmed by His mercy and love that we can’t find the right words to say. Maybe we can’t find even one little word of thanks. But from the depths of our soul breathes up an exhale of utter delight and thanks and adoration, and we literally just make “a sound of any kind.” This is thanksgiving too.
Whatever way our thanks comes out today, let’s just go on into His presence with it! Don’t worry that it’s not the right kind, or that the words are not churchy-sounding. Simply offer Him a “thank You”, sincerely from your heart, in words that you understand.
I guarantee you that you will be heard, you will be ushered into His presence, and the Lord will meet with you in that moment of thanksgiving.
Obtaining Mercy 