Something to Sing About

   New songs often are written for special events. The psalmist contemplates the idea of new songs in six different chapters. We are told in Psalm 33:3 that God put a new song in David’s mouth. In Psalm 144:9, David promises he will make music and sing a new song to God. The other four new-song mentions in Psalms are invitations to “sing to the Lord a new song!” (Ps. 96:1).

   With the psalmist as our guide as to who and how, the rest of the Bible shows the when, where, and why of the new-song experience. After the Exodus, both Moses and Miriam led worship with new songs to the Lord on the shore of the Red Sea (Exodus 15). Isaiah, after prophesying of Israel’s long-awaited Savior, commissions all who wait to sing “to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth” (Isa. 42:10). In Deuteronomy 31:19–23, God teaches a new song to Moses to help the people remember their own folly! In Revelation, we see two new songs being sung to celebrate the worthiness of Jesus (Rev. 5:9; 14:3).
   New songs are written and sung by believers when there is something to celebrate or remember. Where does this singing take place? Wherever we are! And why do we sing? Because, according to Jesus, if we fail to proclaim His glory the stones will cry out (Luke 19:37–40).

A Worthy Sound (Psalm 150)
   Much has been said about how we bring our worship to God. King David had many such conversations in his day. He wrote Psalm 150 to clarify what God put on his heart. From these inspired words, we learn that it isn’t so much about which instruments are used or where they are played. Instead, the worthiness of our worship is seen in whether we are worshiping or not. Everything that has breath should be praising the Lord!

Switching On the Song (1 Thess. 5:16)
   But what if you don’t feel like singing? Scripture gives us three reasons why you should sing: (1) Your sins have been forgiven (Ps. 32:1). David tells us that when he kept silent, his bones wasted away from all his groaning (verse 3). No wonder Paul advises to “rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16, NKJV). (2) God is amazing (1 Chron. 16:9). We will be led to singing when we tell others about God’s wonderful acts. His name is glorious and worth seeking (verse 10). (3) God is strong (verse 11). He has done miracles and made perfect judgments (verse 12). You have been chosen by God (verse 13). He never forgets His covenant (verse 15).
   So, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; / Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day” (verse 23, NKJV).

 Finding the Melody (Phil. 4:8)
   Many things vie for our attention. It takes a concerted effort to block out the myriad sights and sounds around us in order to focus on matters of holiness.    After giving a list of all that was wrong with the world in his day, Paul challenged his readers to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). Let’s take a look at each of these adjectives:
   True. God’s Word is as true as life gets! Read and study it every day.
   Noble. Connect with a person whom you consider to be godly. By beholding we are changed, so go behold a noble person. Most of all, behold Jesus!
   Right. Don’t let people walk on others. Stand up for the underdog and the underfoot.
   Pure. Press pause. Test every thought. Lock up the bad and release the good (see 1 Thess. 5:20, 21).
   Lovely. There is a truly lovely person you know well. Go tell that person how lovely they are. Nature is often lovely. Spend time in it, or read books about it and contemplate pictures of it.
   Admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. When you see these attributes in yourself or others, God is revealing Himself. Recognize Him and rejoice.

Swan Song (Ps. 40:3)
   Don’t think that you can put off singing a new song until the Second Coming. Jesus calls each of us to celebrate His awesome majesty as often as He crosses our mind while we are on earth. Perhaps you’re not a musician. Compose something new for God from within your own giftedness as an act of worship: a poem, a blog entry, a Tweet, or a conversation. How about a smile, a friendly hug? Or perhaps a meal, a warm fire, a clean room, a helping hand, or eye contact.
   The phrase “a God-shaped hole”* implies that within each of us there is a void waiting to be filled by God. As you fill your emptiness with Him, you will find something to sing about. Your new song will emerge.

REACT
1. When was the last time you heard a new song? What was its purpose?
2. When was the last time you tried something new? What was it?
3. Have you ever done something new as a response to God’s presence in your life?
4. What is worship to you?
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*Mark Nickens, “Searching for God,” http://www.christiantimelines.com/God%20shaped %20hole.htm (accessed May 12, 2010).

Written by: David Edgren, Melbourne, Australia