A New Song

Psalm 40

As you know already, I love music. I am a pianist. One thing I really enjoy is finding new music! Here we delight in singing traditional hymns, songs that are familiar to us, songs that perhaps we learned even as a child. This too I love, the rich hertiage, the profound truths spoken out in song.

This past week, I reflected on several Psalms which mention the phrase "a new song." I first inquired as a musician, does God want new music? Well, what is a new song? Six pslams contain this idea, Psalm 33, 40, 96, 98, 144, 149.

I would like to read from Psalm 40 today and share with you what I learned. Psalm 40:1-11, 16&17.

David's psalm presents us with his individual testimony of thanksgiving. We learn in Leviticus about various offerings the people were expected to bring to God in the temple.

Often a person after giving a thank offering would stand before the congregation and tell what God has done in the form of a song -- a hymn of praise.

Listen again to certain sections in Psalm 40:

1st Why David wants to thank God (His recollection of rescue) (1-3)
2nd General reasons to praise God (4-6)
3rd Renewed thanksgiving and prayer (16-17)

Verse 3 shows us what it is to sing a new song. We should take time to reflect every day waht God has done. This is the inspiration to sing a new song. We should share our life's lessons ... be it a song or a story... to bring praise to God.