Sing to the LORD a new song (literally – fresh song) this brought up in (Psalm 33:3) (Psalm 40:3) (Psalm 98:1) (Psalm 144:9) (Psalm 149:1)(Isaiah 42:10). Even though David and others were singing this Psalm at the dedication of the Tabernacle, it’s sung of the future expectation of the Messiah, the confirming of the new covenant by His blood, the calling of the Gentiles, ultimately looking to Jesus Christ coming to judge the world in righteousness and truth. Bless and praise the name of the LORD – by singing a new (fresh – excellent) song, the product of new relationship with the Lord. So, here we have an directive to sing, and to sing to the LORD (all the earth), to sing to the LORD. Since that is our directive, I want to spend this morning speaking to you about what singing to the LORD should involve concerning each of us.
Many say, “It doesn’t matter how you worship as long as it comes from the heart,” and there is some truth to that statement. Many go to worship for what they can get out of it (from an entertainment aspect). While there are many who hold little reverence for God in worship. Singing, and the style of worship is a big draw to the Church community today, I can’t tell you how many times I have received phone call asking me…..
- Does the church have praise songs?
- Does the church have a band? – In that – does it use instruments?
- Does the church sing out of the hymnal?
- Does the church use a piano or an organ?
- Does the church have one person who sings or many
- How come you don’t change this with the worship – How come you don’t do that with the worship
- Does the church believe in interpretive style of music
And so on………We need to realize that singing(worship) is about giving not getting – (example – Psalm 40:3). People tend to end up at churches because of the style of music that is played and sung there. In reality people make the decision to stay and fellowship at certain churches based on how moving, how emotional, how upbeat, how wild, or how loud the music is. And sometimes based on the complete opposite of these such as, unmoving, stoic, calm and soft. So more times than not people make their decision on what church to fellowship in (and with) based on what entertains them, when it should be about the depth and doctrine coming from the music as well as what is coming from behind the pulpit.
So our singing is a very important part of the worship that is to be done in the church body. Our worship to our Heavenly Father through the teaching medium of “singing” should be something of reverence, respect, and honor.
So how do we sing to the Lord?
- With a prepared heart – (Psalm 57:7) (Psalm 108:1)
- With an understanding heart – (Psalm 47:7) (1 Corinthians 14:15)
- With our whole heart – (Psalm 9:1-2) (Psalm 111:1)
Why Do We Sing to the Lord?
- Because God has done many excellent things – (Isaiah 12:5)
- Because God has dealt bountifully with us – (Psalm 13:6)
- Because God is great – (Psalm 95:3)
- Because God is King – (Psalm 47:6-7)
- Because God is good – (Psalm 135:3)
- To rejoice – (Psalm 71:23) (Zechariah 2:10)
- To bless God – (Psalm 96:2)
- To honor God – (Psalm 66:2)
Someone might say, “Pastor I get that our worship ought to be directed towards God, but what do sing about?” “What can I sing to the LORD about personally?”
- God’s righteousness – (Psalm 51:14) (Psalm 145:7,17)
- God’s power – (Psalm 21:13)
- God’s mercy – (Psalm 59:16) (Psalm 89:1)
- God’s justice (judgment) – (Psalm 101:1)
- God’s strength – (Psalm 81:1)
- God’s faithfulness – (Psalm 89:1)
- God’s wondrous works – (Psalm 105:2)
- God’s greatness – (Psalm 96:4) (Psalm 145:3)