I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. (Psalm 69:30-31, ESV)
Golf produces some amazing images—the flight of a perfectly struck driver. The sun melting into the horizon during a quick nine holes after work. The stripes of a perfectly mown fairway. The images are countless—true gifts to those who know the game.
Let’s not neglect another gift the game delivers: sounds! The sounds of the game echo in our minds and hearts. These sounds are sweet to the ear.
The click of metal spikes as they met the concrete cart paths. The balata golf ball coming off the screws of a persimmon driver. Yes, we are going back in time with those two.
The roars of Amen Corner during The Masters or from the grandstands at every venue of The Open. The clanking of club heads as you walk off the 1st tee carrying your bag. The thump of a perfectly executed bunker shot. What are some of the sounds you love from the game?
As those sounds of golf are pleasant to our ears, what are the sounds that are pleasing to God? What does He enjoy hearing? The Bible helps us understand what is pleasant to His holy ears.
In Psalm 69, David is overwhelmed with distress and anguish. More than likely, it was due to the persecution and fear he endured as King Saul pursued him to kill him (see 1 Samuel 19).
As you read this psalm of lament, you can hear the pain he’s going through (vs.1-3, 9-12). He has enemies who want to harm him for no reason. He’s crying out for God’s justice (vs. 22-28). His pain is real. But, in the midst of his fleeing, he is hopeful (vs.13-16), and his hope compels him to worship the Lord. Remarkable.
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.”
David’s time of lament leads him to praise and magnify the Holy God. And as he does, this exaltation is pleasing to the Father. In this awful season, David was worshipping the Lord with thanksgiving, and the Lord considered it greater than any sacrifice that could be made to Him.
Great suffering did not cause David to neglect proclaiming the value and worth of his King. Obviously, God knew exactly what David was feeling and how it must have overjoyed Him as David’s praises touched His ears. Worship that rises from brokenness is the sound the Almighty longs to hear.
Whether it is in suffering or great joy, shouldn’t the Creator of all things, the Sustainer of all life, and the Giver of grace & mercy be pleased with what He hears from us?
The ability to worship God in our weakest state can only be found in knowing Him to be true and faithful – a trust that is imparted to those who by faith know Him as Savior and Lord.
Read the inspired 1950 hymn from Laurie Klein:
I Love You, Lord, And I Lift My Voice
To Worship You Oh, My Soul Rejoice!
Take Joy, My King, In What You Hear
Let It Be A Sweet, Sweet Sound In Your Ear
Prayer: Dear God, when the days are hard, please strengthen me to please you through my worship, even when I’m overwhelmed with despair. Amen