Joel M Bradshaw

1Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!–Psalm 47

One of my earliest memories of my mother is her teaching me to clap my hands and singing a song of praise to God. I also have treasured memories of my wife doing the same thing with each of our children. There’s something about a mother’s influence that brings joy and celebration to a child’s life.

Today’s psalm is another great one from the sons of Korah. Each one of them had a mother, as well.

Clapping your hands gets you involved in the worship with more than just your voice. It’s a commitment. Don’t believe that? Try being the first one clapping sometime. Part of you hopes others join in. Clapping takes something that is private and makes it public. Clapping also celebrates and honors. God deserves the most praise and applause.

The joyful worship here involves shouting and great volume. I’ve been at professional sports events where something amazing happened and the crowd responded by loud shout and cheers and applause. It was very loud, but in the joy, I didn’t care. I was part of that loud. My voice and hands joined others in a memorable moment. And yet praise of God is reserved and quiet?

If you are more joyful at a sports event or a concert than you are at church, then you have a problem. You communicate to God and others who is most important to your heart. You may not shout at church like you do other places, but the psalm does call for it here. The next time you grumble about worship volume levels, remember Psalm 47 demands it.

I’m thankful my mom taught me to clap. I have a love of rhythm to this day. I’m also thankful my mom taught me to praise God in song. I’m thankful for my wife as she does this with our children. Each new generation needs to be taught to sing loudly with joy. To shout and clap in their praise of God. Worship is never tedious or boring with that perspective! Happy Mother’s Day!–JMB