“Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”
“He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.”
“Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.” Psalm 33:3; 40:3; 96:1
“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain… And he took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
“’Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation…’
“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“’Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!’
“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“’To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’
“And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:6-9,11-14
The scriptures are rich with much music, its pages laced with songs of praise, lament, and hope. Musical expression flowed from surrender, victory, desperate need, and certain confidence, all heart-felt examples for God’s people through the ages. (Numbers 21:17; Exodus 15:19-21; Psalm 42:5-8)
But we crunchy people get in ruts. We whine the same complaints, mimic media talking points, drone on about our woes and the evils of others. With self-consumed perception, we’ve limited our scope to what affects us, disregarding the broad care of the Almighty and His wondrous, mysterious ways in the world. If we sing at all, we get on the old-record-skip of stale refrains with trite words that neither grip nor mean anything.
Yet even the prickliest of cactuses can bloom exquisite flowers, and an open heart can learn to sing new songs. The Creator of all beauty is worthy of our melodies, and infuses them with color and robustness befitting His glory. Are we willing to be made willing to sing anew?
Would we ask God to increase our capacity for care and wonder? Would we explore the scriptures to gain new wisdom, a wider outlook, heightened expectancy, and learn to sing new songs of praise and thanksgiving? Would we commit to lofty language, to high thought and expression that reflects the glory of Christ and shines His light in this dark world?
Lord, teach my mind to so delight in You that daily my mouth is filled with new songs that exalt Your inestimable worth.
As the rain and snow 