Psalm 98

“Sing a new song to the Lord,

    for he has done wonderful deeds.”

Psalm 98:1a

A youth group was visiting the adult/dementia day care at our church. One of the young girls began singing a solo and a woman who had appeared almost comatose, raised her head and began singing along. As soon as the song ended the woman dropped her head and resumed her previous state. Such is the power of music in the human soul. The Book of Psalms appreciates this part of human nature, as the subject of singing appears at least eight-six times – ten times in the psalms we’ve read in the last week.

Not only are we inspired by music, the scriptures show us that God is inspired by our praise. When a vast army came against Israel, King Jehoshaphat went to the Lord in prayer. God’s answered his prayer saying, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” In response “the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the enemy armies to start fighting among themselves. Not a single one of the enemy escaped (2 Chronicles 20).

Often the psalmist calls us to “Sing a new song to the LORD!” Every great Christian movement has birthed new songs. From the reformation movement of Martin Luther, to the Methodist movement of John and Charles Wesley, to the charismatic movement, men and women have been inspired to create new songs for praise and worship of God.

Sometimes the song we sing isn’t new, as in brand new; it is new to the particular circumstances of our new day. Thus, we sing a new song to the Lord as we choose to praise God in the midst of uncertainty. Perhaps today is a good time for you to sing anew,

“Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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Reading for August 8, 2012       Psalm 99