Shout to the Lord, all the earth, be glad, sing for joy and sing psalms! (Psalm 98:4)
The talent for singing came naturally to von Trapp's four children. They are the great-grandsons of Captain Georg von Trapp, whose love affair with his second wife, Maria, inspired the 1965 film The Sound of Music.
After their grandfather, Werner von Trapp, had a stroke, the four brothers living in Montana recorded their first CD album to cheer him up. Shortly after, they put on a show around the world. Stefan, the children's father, said, "Music is ingrained in them."
The heart of the writer of Psalm 98 is also full of singing. He calls out to others to join him in singing "a new song to God, for He has done wonderful things" (verse 1). He praises God who has given salvation, justification, mercy, and His faithfulness (verses 2,3). The psalmist's heart was so full of praise, that he invited the whole earth to sing, the rivers to clap their hands, and the mountains to rejoice (verse 4,8).
We too have many things to be grateful for -- God's beautiful gifts of family, friends, and the daily sufficiency He provides for all our needs. He cares for us, His children, faithfully.
Maybe we can't sing sweetly. However, when we remember all that God has provided and done for us, there is nothing better for us to do than to shout for Him (verse 4) --AMC
THE SONG OF PRAISE IS AN EMPLOYMENT OF A HEART FULL OF JOY
* Take from Daily Reflections