“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
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...
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told…
I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips…
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness…
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
For evils have encompassed me..;
my iniquities have overtaken me..;
my heart fails me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life..!
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer.” Psalm 40:1-3,5,9-14,16-17
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:1-3
“Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth.” Isaiah 42:10
New day, new need, new insecurities, new enemies. New cry, new deliverance, new song. David the psalmist recorded the experiences of David the depressed and spent, the hunted and regent, the fallen transgressor and forgiven son. The Lord planted in him a new song of His unending great deeds that begged proclamation. David could not help but tell because his life was caught up in his God’s life and activity, and his heart was full of gratitude and praise.
Many are the pits in a believer’s life. Uncertainties, insecurities, evils without, iniquities within. And many are the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord! He loves steadfastly, undertakes faithfully, and delivers mercifully. The longer we know Him, the more new songs we have to sing.
How do our responses to daily occurrences- aggravations, heartaches, and blessings- get communicated? Do we utter ever a new complaint? Ever a new moan or sigh? Ever a new grouse or put-down, ever a new blame or excuse or criticism? Or do our mouths rejoice lustily with ever a new song for our great Redeemer? What makes us restrain our praise for the One who never restrains His mercy? The sovereign One who providently orders all things for our good and His glory?
Would I recount His thought-filled intervention in my every care? What deliverances, assurances, and steadfast love give volume to my praise? Awareness and gratitude beget a robust, ongoing melody of the greatness, faithfulness, and salvation of God!
Lord, keep putting new songs in my mouth that encourage others and glorify Your name.
As the rain and snow 