Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Worship Wednesdays - Sing a New Song, Bible-Style - Part 2


Last week, we started to take a look at all the invocations in Scripture to sing a “new song.” 

How can these "new song" verses inspire us as songwriters?

Today, we finish our brief study by looking at verses from Psalms, Isaiah, and Revelation:

Psalm 149:1  
Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

There’s nothing like singing God’s praise in the company of those who love Him. Are we writing songs that reflect the voices and prayers of faithful worshipers? They entrust us with putting their worship into singable form. Are we writing their cries of pain and praise into our songs?

Isaiah 42:10
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.


Such imagery! As I read this verse, I’m reminded of the variety of church communities around the world - tiny country churches, storefront urban missions, cruise ship chaplains, and outdoor mega-churches. Some songs are common to all, but we also need songs that reflect our own unique worship environments. How can we write songs that reflect our local church, with their specific needs and thanksgivings?

Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

When the book with the seven seals is opened, a new song is sung. Are we reacting to God’s new miracles with new songs of praise? It’s easy to only seek our songwriting ideas in the pages of Scripture, but God is still moving. What inspiration can we find from God’s actions today?

Revelation 14:3
And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

A song that only the Redeemed could sing. What would that sound like? What kind of words would the Redeemed want to sing? We need songs for all steps of our faith journey, including our holiest moments. Are you writing melodies and lyrics that shoot straight into the heart of God in pure, unadulterated worship?


It’s been quite awesome to read each of these verses and pray over the message each one might hold for songwriters. Another time, it might be interesting to read them from the point of view of a worship leader, musician, or congregant.

Perhaps you've had your own unique insights while reading these verses. 
Please share them in the comments section!


Worship Wednesdays is a weekly series to encourage and equip worship leaders and songwriters. Bookmark this page & visit us every Wednesday!

2 comments:

inspiredsongwriting said...

Yes, we need to write song that are appropriate for the audience for which you are writing. Only songs should challenge or lead them to grow in faith.
Perry
InspiredSongwriting.blogspot.com

Allison Lynn said...

Thanks for the comment, Perry! "Leading them to grow in faith" is a great challenge for songwriters!

Blessings,
Allison