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June 21, 2006
New Song Worship
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. -Psalm 40:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. -Psalm 33:3
Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. -Isaiah 42:10
And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” -Revelation 5:9
This weekend, the NCF music team will get to have a jam session/dry run of a bunch of new songs that I have collected and that we will be sharing in worship over the next year. I am really excited because new songs help us see new things about the God we serve. I love having roots in a tradition and cultural expression, but I also love the way that new generations and new cultures bring out fresh pictures of God. A diamond becomes more and more brilliant as there are more and more cuts to refract the light in different directions. That’s what new songs bring to worship.
Novelty can become idolatrous. I once knew a worship leader who was so focused on being “new” that she would reject singing songs that we sang last year. She would say, “The Spirit has gone out of that song.” (She was a Pentecostal.) In her defense, she was an InterVaristy staff so she was probably trying to stay relevant to her students. But, singing classic songs from generations past or from the early phases of our life emphasizes the permanence and faithfulness of God.
Some people have told me that the meaning of “new song” as it’s used in scripture is not so much that the song was composed recently, but that the song is forever new, timeless, unchanged, as if it still has that “new car smell.” I think that is a good way to think about it; after all, we do worship the God who is timeless and faithful, radiant and spotless. But, I also believe that God’s faithfulness is made more amazing by his infinite nature. He cannot be completely contained, described or imagined. If this is true than there can be no end to the creation of songs to praise him. The more we draw near to God the more we see how expansive his glory is. Like the picture of heaven in “The Last Battle,” the deeper you go toward it’s center the larger it becomes. “Further up; further in!”
If we try to end the creation of songs, it is as if we are saying that all the glory of God has been finally captured in this particular collection. So, I say bring on the new songs!!
Church Musican | By Kirk Ward | 10:57 AM
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Comments
I am excited to have the South Cityers and 82nd streeters all under one roof! And Sarah’s brownies? Yum, yum, Yum, yum, Yum, yum (to the tune of the creepy and slightly threatening “Jaws” song).
Posted by: Heidi at June 21, 2006 2:13 PM
I never caught the whole "new" song - thanks for your comments on it - I'll probably see "new song" all over Scripture now. :)
Posted by: Rinnie at June 22, 2006 7:10 AM
I'm excited to hear some of these new songs, and I agree about the idea of the forever newness. It's less about being novel or cutting-edge and more the idea that the Spirit is the one renewing us... Like those moments when all of the sudden a phrase from scripture grabs you by the heart; or you finally see something you've looked at a thousand times. Nothing outwardly changed, the words are not new, but He opens your heart & eyes with new understanding.
Posted by: angela at June 22, 2006 8:48 AM
I want to sing new songs with you!!!
(sniff)
Posted by: Aimee at June 24, 2006 12:17 AM
Kirk,
Thanks for orchestrating the new songs event! The couches were cozy and the fellowshipping was “GRRRRRRREAAAT” (I say this with a Tony the Tiger exuberance)! It’s such a blessing to connect more with you 82nders! Aimee, you were there in spirit!
Posted by: Heidi at June 27, 2006 11:53 AM