NEW SONG

Many times I have heard complaints from some congregants about new songs sung in the worship services they attend. They feel unfamiliar with them so they cannot sing along. They prefer to sing only the songs they are used to hearing. Is this part of your experience? How should we respond to it?

When the psalmist urges us to sing a new song, it does not always refer to a song that has just been composed or created by someone. Rather, a new song is also an expression or attitude of those who have had new experiences with God in His person, blessings, and preservation. So, we can sing an old song with a new attitude, filled with gratitude for witnessing the goodness of the Lord once again.

Singing is one of the ways to express our praise, thanks, prayers, and hopes to the Lord. However, singing can also be a means of teaching for God's people. Therefore, we should be open to new songs, as long as they are based on the word of God. But, if we are responsible for choosing the songs to be sung in worship together, we also need to consider the singing abilities of the entire congregation. So that all God's people can be guided to encounter Him through every lyric expressed in the song. Thus, the song itself will give us a new experience to express our repentance, commitment, or gratitude to the Lord. --HT/www.renunganharian.net