There are approximately 7,170 known living languages spoken in the world today. There are single countries like Papua New Guinea that host over 800 distinct tongues. Also I’m told the musicologists have found no human culture or spoken language that lacks a tradition of song or musical expression. Songs pour out from every tongue.
What does the scripture tell us?
Psalm 98:1, “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.
Psalm 33:3, “Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.”
Psalm 40:3, “He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 96:1, “Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!”
Psalm 98:1, “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.”
Psalm 144:9, “I will sing a new song to you, O God! I will sing your praises with a ten-stringed harp.”
Psalm 149:1, “Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.”
Isaiah 42:10, “Sing a new song to the Lord”! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth!”
Rev. 5:9, “And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.”
Rev. 14:3, “This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God.”
Tell me brother, what is this “new song” that we repeatedly see in scripture? It’s stated in the Word over and over, but what is it, and what does it mean?
Throughout the history of the Church, new songs are sung. About 200 years ago new songs were compiled and given to the saints. One hymnal has 1,130 songs listed. If we were singing 8-10 a week, it would take over 2 years to finish without ever repeating a hymn. Honestly, this “gift of song” is a significant part of the Church.
What is a new song?
His grace is pouring on us all the time. It’s like a spigot of water that is always open, He never turns it off. It’s constant nonstop; ceaseless and hardly understood. His grace on us never stops, even if we never grasp or acknowledge it.
We sing out new things that we’ve experienced firsthand.
When grace is finally understood and received, new songs pour out. Our music is special because it’s present tense, and although the old songs are significant, our active melodies are spontaneous expressions. They are the “now understanding” of what the Father gives.
We must sing out “new songs.”
All that He shows in this present moment is singable. It seems that God’s grace on us demands a song, maybe it’s even a requirement. When we receive this constant grace, we should respond in song; we become vocal witnesses of what He has freely given. It’s an active reaction to His love and mercy.
So where are these new songs?
Could it be that our generation doesn’t fully get it? Do we grasp His intense grace on us? But where are the new songs? Where are the melodies of grace that should be present? When we sing out, awkwardly and out of tune we honor Him, and I’m pretty sure the Father is pleased. He loves our clumsy and spontaneous songs that come from our hearts.
In some sense there are fresh and new songs coming from groups like Hillsong, Vineyard, Hosanna, and Maranatha. The groups add a “new song” dimension of grace mixed with the song. I’m grateful for them. They’ve given us good things.
Perhaps we need more poets and bards more than apostles and prophets? New songs skillfully written that declare a present tense mercy. Lyricists that proclaim God’s grace to the Church. We now sing out of this moment. It seems that it’s a beautiful response to the love God has freely given to us.
“It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men.”
Alaska Bible Teacher 