SING A NEW SONG
Jenna Worsham
Today's Scripture: “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!” Psalm 149:1, ESV
Theme: Sometimes we worship by singing familiar songs; at other times, we sing a new song to the Lord.
A NEWLY-RELEASED SONG
There is something special about a new, favorite song. In 2023, while my son Soren was in preschool, the song Cornerstone by TobyMac, featuring Zach Williams, was released. It became his favorite song. When we were praying on the way to school, Soren had the idea to pray for the song to “Please, please, please come on the radio, right now.” I interrupted to explain that realistically, “God won’t do things like play our favorite song every time we ask,” but was interrupted by the opening to Cornerstone! If you’re familiar with the song, before the music begins, a voice says: “Ahem You ready, man? Okay, yeah.” Much to our mutual delight, his favorite song started in answer to prayer.
God may not do this every time, but sometimes He will delight three-year-olds and awe and humble their weary mamas. While Cornerstone isn’t a new song anymore, it did become an anthem that brings us right back to the struggles and joys of that stage of life – when for us, it was a new song to sing.
A NEW STYLE OF SONG
While I believe today’s Scripture is encouraging us to literally sing a “new song,” that might not always fit into our preconceived notion of what a song should be. Maybe it could include a new style of music that you wouldn’t usually choose to help you worship. If you don’t often attend Cove Kids, Cove Students, or Tuesday Night Care Groups at The Cove, you will find that worship led during those services is a little different from what we are used to on Sunday morning. When I helped lead worship through dance at Cove Kids Camp last summer, it was wildly different than standing in front of the usual blue chairs during a weekend service. Usually after a set of three to five songs, I was breathing hard, sweating, and laughing.
Maybe you’ve never sung along with a traditional choir singing old hymns. One year growing up, we attended a sunrise Easter service outdoors in Las Vegas, Nevada. I stood next to my grandmother as the sun rose, singing an old hymn I didn’t know but she surely did know. Her voice wasn’t perfect, yet there was strength, beauty, and history behind it as she confidently sang from memory, surrounded by the garden where her husband was buried. I never forgot singing that new-to-me song, a familiar hymn with deep history for her.
NOT SINGING, BUT STILL A NEW SONG
Worship takes many forms. I know this because not everyone can sing. Some people lose their use of or are born without working vocal cords. Some can’t keep time. Some are nonverbal. Although worship can often be expressed in song, sometimes, for whatever reason, we can’t sing. Even people who can’t sing can worship, can sing a new song. That means that while we may need to try singing something new if we are able – we can also honor God in worship without a tune, without a voice, and without an able body. However, if you CAN sing for now, maybe God is challenging you to give it a try?
SINGING A NEW SONG
With apologies to all of the worship leaders I love, it feels unfair to me when worship leaders talk about writing a new song. For them, the new song is a gift to God and others! When they write or sing a new song, it’s worth sharing. It might bless many people. When I sing a new song, I can promise you that the only person it pleases is God. Here’s why: I am not good at it. My voice doesn’t know which way to go. I sometimes end up singing some tune I’ve heard somewhere else, to some mixed-up words that don’t even rhyme. I don’t write it down. I definitely don’t record it. Yet sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised by what comes out when I try to sing to God alone. It is humbling. It is a way to obey. It is worship.
Make It Personal: Would you, with me, try this today? know it’s not appealing to everyone. If it’s easy and appealing for you, great! Enjoy an easy win! I wish it was easy for me, but it isn’t. Even if you, like me, are not a gifted musician, try to sing a new song. I will be doing this alone, probably in my car, where no one else will hear. What kind of song is God calling out of you? The best place to start is to go ahead and try something different. Maybe one of the other “new” songs (a song you haven’t heard before, a new style) is a better place for you to start? Whatever you choose, God is waiting and He will meet you there.
Pray: Father God, please give me the ability to sing a new song to You today. I may feel unprepared for this, and yet I offer my worship, as good or mediocre as it may be, to You. Help me offer something worthwhile. Thank You for my voice, music, and for the ability to worship You in every season of my life. Show me how I can honor You with a new song today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Psalm 40:3-5, 33:1-3, 98:1, 96:1-3
Weekly Memory Verse: “Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.” Psalm 149:5, ESV