Dear friends,
People from all culture and traditions love music. A poet by the name of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Music is the universal language of all mankind.” This means that music can be understood by anyone, and the Key of C or “Do Re Mi” are the same everywhere. In Psalm 96, King David wrote three times in one chapter, “Sing to the Lord.” And when something is repeated three times, it means that it is important.
Psalm 96:1 challenges us to “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” David did not say that it is not good to sing old songs, but he was referring here to sing about something new and something unexpected that come from God every day – new mercies, new answered prayers, new compassions that are new every morning.
What kind of SONG is this?
First, it must be a song about the Salvation from God.
Psalm 96:2-3 says, “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” We must testify how God redeemed us, and shower us with blessings.
Second, it must be a song about the Obedience to God.
Psalm 96:4-5 says, “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.” It says here that David acknowledges that other people and nations have idols and gods, but the God of the Bible is greater and powerful than all of these gods combined. Thus, we must obey God.
Third, it must be a song about the Nature of God.
Psalm 96:10, 13 says, “Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.” The nature of God according to these verses is that our God is faithful, loving and righteous. Our God is not a “stupid God.”
Fourth, it must be a song about the Glory of God.
Psalm 96:7-8 says, “Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.” We must glorify God who God is worthy to be worshipped. The ultimate goal of the church is to worship God. We do mission so that others may know Jesus Christ, and that they too will worship Him.
May we all sing a new song to the Lord!
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director
Office of Communications
Central Philippine University
