“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; Let the sea resound and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.” Psalms 98:4,7-8 NIV

When my son was in the fourth grade, he decided he wanted to learn to play the drums. We found someone at a local music store to teach him and bought him a starter set of drums. We set up the drum set in the garage and put limits on when he could practice (so as not to drive the neighbors too crazy). He loved playing. He joined the youth group praise band at church and drummed praises to the Lord.

Our verse this week says that all the earth, all creation, praises the Lord with songs and shouts, and joyful sounds of all kinds. I am going to list a few animals and other created things that make sounds, but I want you to add as many as you can think of for this week’s activity.

God’s Praise Band

The sea waves slap a rhythm on the sand.

Birds of every kind sing in creation’s band.

God hears a cat’s purr and a dog’s bark,

And a coyote’s howl as night grows dark.

Praises rise up as the cricket chorus sings.

Joy is the thrum of a hummingbirds’ wings.

An elephant’s trumpet reaches God’s ears.

So do your songs and whispered prayers.

I found sea waves, birds, cat, dog, coyote, crickets, butterfly wings, elephant and you! Did you know that a giraffe is the only mammal without a voice box? Me either, I found that out when I looked for different animal sounds. I imagine a giraffe praising God with his long-legged dances across the savannah.

This week try to find more animals and their sounds that praise the Lord. You can draw pictures of your animals or just write the animal name and their sound. Share your animal sounds of praise with your mom and dad. See if they can help you add to your list.

Blessings as we all become members of God’s praise band!