“Shout For Joy (Psalm 98)” – Cindy Clark

“Shout For Joy (Psalm 98)”
Cindy Clark
Independent (release date: June 21, 2024)

By Robert M. Marovich

On “Shout for Joy,” Cindy Clark sings Psalm 98 with Annie Lennox-like stridency in her voice and a musical arrangement that conjures 1990s pop-rock, complete with atmospheric sax punctuating a relentless rhythm section.

Psalm 98 has always been an ideal psalm to set to music; after all, it’s about singing a new song. While the overall sound of “Shout for Joy” is not especially new, as in cutting edge new, what Clark provides is nevertheless a different way to articulate the joyful sentiments of Psalm 98.

Clark, a singer-songwriter and musician from Alberta, Canada, has found healing and catharsis from setting and singing the Psalms. In addition to Psalm 98, she has also arranged, among other selections, Psalm 3 as “Arise Lord,” and Psalm 63 as “God of My Life.” Last year, she released her first album, Come Out, on which “Shout for Joy” is one of the cuts. It might well be her life’s work, but since she already has a few Psalms under her belt, Cindy Clark could set each of the Psalms to her own arrangements.