“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a joyful noise and rejoice, and sing praise.”  Psalm 98:4

As we look forward to 2025, let us start the new year with the Psalmist’s exhortation to all creatures to praise God.  As you can see the Psalmist includes everyone.  If you can’t sing you can surely make a joyful noise!

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible of the NKJV for our opening verse leads us to verses of: Shouting, Rejoicing, and Singing--

Shouting:
“So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.”  2 Samuel 6:15 

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let all those who love Your name be joyful in You.”  Psalm 5:11

“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with a voice of triumph!
For the LORD Most High is awesome;
He is a great King over all the earth.”  Psalm 47:1-2

“Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”  Isaiah 12:6

Rejoicing:
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”  Isaiah 61:10

“Your words were found and I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name,
O LORD God of hosts.”  Jeremiah 15:16

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!”  Zephaniah 3:14

“Though you have not seen Him (Jesus Christ), you love Him.  Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”  
1 Peter 1:8

Singing:
“Sing loud to God our strength;
Shout for joy to the God of Jacob!”  Psalm 81:1

“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God,
And a great King above all gods.”  Psalm 95:1-3

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  Ephesians 5:18

Then Paul repeats this in Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  

Whatever the new year brings we know that God is in control and we are His!  So we sing, rejoice and give glory to our Savior King.  All praise and thanks to our Most Holy Lord and God Christ Jesus!  Amen