Sing a New Song
People of God have always been a singing people. In fact, it was often said that the Methodist movement was born in song because of how the Wesleys used music so effectively — to minister to people and to teach people.
Singing Is Biblical
But the Bible often tells us to sing. And I want to look at Psalm 149 this week to remind us to sing. Before we even get into it, let me remind you — it doesn't say you have to sing well. My mom always said that God must be tone deaf, otherwise how could He enjoy the singing of certain people? But of course, He looks to the heart.
And of course, singing is about an expression of what's inside. And so, yes, let's be a singing people. And Psalm 149 encourages us to do so. It starts like this: "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, a new song."
Old Versus New
Now, I just joined a Facebook group this week called Old Fashioned Hymns and Spiritual Music, and it's all about how the old hymns were, quote, "rich depositories of biblical spirituality, theological truth, and Christian belief."
And the page here says there's nothing like going back to the old hymns for spiritual nourishment. Now, to some extent I agree, because to a large extent the hymns were amazing songs with great theology and all of that.
But I was quite disappointed in this group to see how so many of the members were just mocking modern Christian music. Granted, not all modern Christian music is good, but at the same time there are some incredible new songs that glorify God.
It's easy for us to get caught up in the old and say that the old was the best. But really, friends, we need to remember that it's not about style — it's not about genre as such. But if we can find songs that glorify God, whether they're old or new, we should enjoy them.
Glorifying Through Creativity
God is a God who makes things new. God is a God who creates. Surely we as God's people should be creating new things that glorify Him.
It's easy to get caught up in the old. Even I find that I do it. I love to go back to the songs I grew up with in the '90s, kind of ignoring some of the new stuff. But oh friends, let's enjoy the best of the past. But let's press on and make new songs — new things that glorify God.
So here's my challenge to you today: Go onto YouTube and look for new Christian music — songs that you've never heard before — and find ones that glorify God that you can also sing to Him. "Sing a new song," the psalmist said. Yes, let's do that and glorify God with music that is fresh and music that is old and awesome.
