Our offertory anthem is what you might call a barnburner! It’s not too often that we ever get to clap our hands and shout in church; however, the words of the 47^th Psalm make it very clear that we should indeed extend our voices, and our hands in exuberant praise.

Vaughan Williams has set this text in one movement, in the key of B-flat major. It is scored for choir, organ, brass, and percussion but there is also a version for orchestra and organ. The first part is exuberant, and begins with a fanfare. Then the middle section begins slowly, but then ramps back up to a feisty and grandiose conclusion.

This piece is a reminder that sometimes we just need to make a lot of noise. Afterall, the Psalm states, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” (Ps. 100 vs. 1) When we allow ourselves the freedom to shout, to clap, to release bursts of energy, we acknowledge and express gratitude. Emotions are nothing but energy, and sometimes they just need to be released. Sadness and grief are sometimes easier to express, but excitement and exuberance tend to be reserved to children. If you are happy, and you know it, please –  clap your hands! That’s not just a Bible School song, it’s a way of life.

Humans are expressive creatures, and sometimes you just need to express yourself. God gives us permission to shout for joy. Musicians are lucky, we’re expected to make a lot of noise – organists especially. I know the Fisk is loud – I am aware of that, but so is traffic, airplanes, and thunder. As far as the organ, I like to open’er up, and to see what she can do!  Why not? Sometimes I have all of this pinned up energy, and the organ helps me toss it out, to express myself, and to make a big impact. There’s something cathartic about pulling out all the stops, and hearing the organ roar. But too many of us just pull out one stop, or two. We don’t want to make too much of a fuss.

But we have a lot to offer. Why not pull out all the stops? Sometimes, we have the power of a 747, but we simply circle the taxiway, never fully realizing our flight potential. How high could you fly, if only you’d let’er rip? Musicians get to make all kinds of noise, because we love to rattle the roof. Do you ever do that? Sometimes you just have to rare back, throw your hands in the air, and shout for joy. Express yourself, but don’t always be subtle. A 747 doesn’t do its best work on the taxiway.

Sing praises, and don’t hold back. Clap your hands, run, jump, and play. When you laugh, chuckle from your belly. When you sing, use your whole body. It seems like this is God’s charge to us, to fully demonstrate our joy, to show our true talents to the fullest, and to release good energy into the world. Make a big impact. No sense in being reserved all the time. Retract the landing gear to reduce drag, put the nose just above the horizon, push the throttle to the firewall, and let yourself soar and roar. Your engines will rumble, and the roof will rattle, but that’s part of the fun. Don’t let the choir (and the crazy organist!) have all the fun each Sunday. Join in the exuberance, and make a joyful noise. Surely there is something to sing about!  Soli deo Gloria!