SHOUT TO THE LORD

           "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."  Psalm 32:11  "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph."  Psalm 47:1. 

          "Shout to the Lord" is a praise and worship song written by Christian worship leader Darlene Zschech in 1993.  It was written during a time when Zschech was struggling with money worries and the stresses of raising a young family.

          One day, when she was feeling particularly discouraged she slipped into the toy room where they kept their piano.  She put into song some biblical truths to which the stressed young mother was holding onto, in particular drawing from the Psalms. Zschech explained to Today's Christian Woman: "I wrote it when I was feeling discouraged. I felt I could either scream and pull my hair out, or praise God." She added: "The line "Nothing compares to the promise I have in you" was something I clung to when our circumstances seemed so bleak. I think that rings true with anyone going through tough times."

          The song quickly spread around the world and it was sung by many recording artists. It is estimated that the song has been sung by congregations worldwide by an estimated 25-30 million churchgoers every Sunday.  According to Zschech  I" can't take any credit for its impact. God decided to put his blessing on this song."

          On April 9,  2008, "Shout to the Lord" was the closing song on Idol Gives Back, sung by the remaining eight contestants of American Idol and a gospel choir. The lyrics of the song were altered, changing the word "Jesus" to "Shepherd" in the first line, without the approval of Zschech or Hillsong Church. At the request of the song's publishers, the song was performed again at the opening of the next show the following night, this time using the original lyrics. The studio version of the performance charted at number 43 in the Billboard Hot 100, based on digital download sales alone.

          Let this song also be your testimony this week.  Sing for joy at the work of the Lord's hands.  Praise Him for his power and majesty and love.  May He always be your comfort and shelter and tower of refuge and strength.

          Yes, there is none like our Lord!

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

Let us sing

Power and majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

My Jesus, My Savior,

Lord, there is none like You;

All of my days

I want to praise

The wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter,

Tower of refuge and strength;

Let every breath, all that I am

Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

Let us sing

Power and majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

Let us sing

Power and majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Nothing compares to the promise I have

Nothing compares to the promise I have in you

Listen to it here.   SHOUT