'Shout to the Lord' Story by Lindsay Terry

Singing commercials for McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Coca Cola were some of the activities that made up the early life of Darlene Zschech (prounounced check). She was born in Bribane, Queensland, Australia in 1965.
In an interview she declared, "I can't remember a time in my life when music wasn't a critical part of the atmosphere in which I existed."
She related to me the following experience. "When I was age 15, my Dad, my beloved hero, who had been attending church and recommitted his broken life to Christ, took his eldest child to a youth group called Royal Rangers. I attended for a few weeks, making friends, tying knots, learning about camping, teamwork and the code of life, and most importantly, the giver of life, Jesus Christ."
"My memories of a particular evening meeting are so clear - the irresistible invitation to receive Jesus into my life. My longing to be made whole overtook my limited understanding, and I got out of my seat and, with a couple of other young people, walked toward the leader. He led us in the most beautiful prayer I have ever prayed."
However, by 1993, at age 28, she was experiencing frightfully "dark" days. The tax burdens were exceedingly heavy. She said, "There seemed to be no way out of the situation, save for the hand of God." So, as Christians are encouraged to do in times of perplexity and fear, she turned to the Word of God - to Psalm 96. During the reading of the Psalm her mind was completely centered on the heavenly father.
While thinking on those scriptures, she slipped onto the bench of an old piano her parents had given her when she was only 5 years old. Her hands fell on the keys, and she began to improvise, not really playing anything particular. Suddenly, she found herself singing a song, which flowed from her heart and from the reading of Psalm 96. She continued to sing it, again and again. Her depression lifted and her faith and joy in the Lord returned. She had realized that the message of her song was true. It begins, "My Jesus, my Savior, Lord there is none like you."
She began to say to herself, "I think the Lord has given me a worship song." However, she was very timid about singing her song for others. An example of her shyness was demonstrated when she asked the church music director and his visiting friend to turn their faces to the wall while she played and sang her new song. She said, "My hands were so sweaty I feared my fingers would slip off of the keys." As she finished singing the men turned and assured her they thought her song was wonderful. Darlene realizes the song was a gift from God. It has since been translated into approximately 20 languages. The first words of the chorus furnished the title for the song - "Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing!"

"Honor and majesty are before Him: strength and beauty are in His sanctuary." Psalm 96:6   

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
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
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 in You
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You