September 20, A New Song

Today’s reading: Psalms 96-100

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations”
- Psalm 98:1-2.

The psalmists listed many appropriate responses to God’s mercy and salvation, and in today’s passage the act of singing was not just mentioned but commanded. Everyone is commanded to sing a new song to the Lord, and that can take place either in a corporate church setting or as a private act of worship. Yet one should not take priority over the other, so you must find a balance of personal worship as well as adding your voice to others in a public worship setting. I have watched people over the years come to church, stare at the hymnal or screen, and not open their lips to sing! Paul taught the Ephesians about this very thing:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18-20).

Do you sing and take an active part in public worship? Do you give an exuberant response to your sports team and then withhold the same from God? How often do you sing a new song of praise to God?