Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150: 3-6)

I perceive that self-restraint is both a discipline and a blessing of faith. We are called to make space for others and give place to God. A faithful combination of confidence and humility can allow us to listen more than speak, serve rather than insist, and open ourselves to the greater reality beyond ourselves.

But self-restraint need not - should not - limit our ability to feel and express joy. We are told to praise God: to shine, flash forth, boast, to be a fool, even to be as a madman. We are to let go of our dignified pride and praise God without restraint.

Music - sung, played, or listened to - can pull us into the present. Music can open us joy. With music we can enter into unrestrained praise for God. In praise we can reclaim our direct relationship with God.

In the spirit of the psalm, if you are on broadband listen to Mozel Tov by the Yale Klezmer Band.