Shout to the Lord

1993

The Bible contains promises for every problem and a word of assurance for every need. When faced with anger or anxiety, we can always find a word from God to nudge us onward and upward — if only we’ll open His Book. That’s what Darlene Zschech did one dark day in 1993.

Darlene was born in 1965 in Brisbane, Australia, and she grew up singing. When she was about fifteen, her father, who had recently given his life to Christ, enrolled her in a Christian scouting program; through that program, she received Jesus Christ as her Savior. Years later, one day in 1993, Darlene faced a daunting and discouraging personal problem. In her heaviness, she entered the study of her home and sat at the old and out-of-tune piano her parents had given her when she was five. Opening her Bible, she started reading Psalm 96. As Darlene meditated on that psalm, her fingers pressed the keys of the piano, and the music and words began to flow. In about twenty minutes the song was done. For several days she sang it to herself as the truths of the song ministered to her own heart. She had not previously called herself a songwriter, so Darlene was reluctant to share it with anyone. But mustering her courage, she finally asked the music pastor at her church to listen to it. She was so nervous she kept stopping and apologizing. She even asked him to stand over by the wall and turn away from her while she sang it. He assured her the song was wonderful, and shortly afterward they sang “Shout to the Lord” during the offering at church. The congregation took to it quickly, standing and joining in the song, though the words hadn’t been prepared for bulletin or screen. Darlene’s pastor, Brian Houston, predicted it would be sung around the world. And so it has.

Darlene Zschech wrote “Shout to the Lord” while feeling discouraged and sad. How does singing it make you feel?

The psalms inspired Zschech’s lyrics, especially Psalm 96. What does Psalm 100:1 say?

Consider this line: “All of my days / I want to praise.” Desire (“want”) often determines whether or not we praise God. What happens when you don’t really want to, but you do it anyway?

What does Philippians 2:9-11 say about the sound of the name of Jesus?

Give ear to my words, O Lord,

Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry,

My King and my God,

For to You, I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning,

O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

Amen.

— Psalm 5:1-3 NKJV