Music Matters

July 2009

Sing a New Song?

What does it mean to sing a new song? Several places in the Bible the psalmist calls us to "sing to the Lord a new song"--a song of praise for what the Lord has done for each of us. These songs are not solos; they are to be sung in "the assembly of the saints" (Psalm 149:1) or in the whole earth (Psalm 96:1).

Sometimes we get very comfortable with our old songs. We know them so well we can almost sing them without thinking about the words or the music. And maybe that's the reason we are called to sing a new song!

Each generation has music that speaks to them. Each generation has issues that they have to deal with. Each generation hopefully has an increased understanding of what God is calling them to be--and where God is calling them. Each generation requires the gospel to be relevant to them--and their praise to grow out of their experiences.

While I love many of the songs that my grandparents sang, when I really listen to the words, I realize that they often do not express my theology. They expressed the best understanding of that time--but if I believe that God continues to reveal God's self, then my singing must also reflect that.

A body of believers needs a new hymnal about every generation! Community of Christ is in the process of doing just that--creating a new hymnal that is planned to debut in 2013. What will make this hymnal different? There will be hymns written by members of that body of believers--but there will also be hymns...new hymns...that reflect current concerns and issues: the environment, unity in diversity, peace and justice issues... There will be international hymns, reflecting that the body of Christ is not limited to one continent, one language, one music style.

God works with people in all cultures--and each culture has gifts of music and text to share with each other. We are blessed when we are willing to both give and receive those gifts! (Samples of some of the international hymns can be found at http://www.cofchrist.org/hymnal.)

Let us join with the psalmist--and sing with delight a new song!

¹ Sing to the LORD a new song;
       sing to the LORD, all the earth.

² Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
       proclaim his salvation day after day.

³ Declare his glory among the nations,
       his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

⁴ For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
       he is to be feared above all gods.

⁵ For all the gods of the nations are idols,
       but the LORD made the heavens.

⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him;
       strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
       ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

⁸ Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
       bring an offering and come into his courts.

⁹ Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
       tremble before him, all the earth.

¹⁰ Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."
       The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
       he will judge the peoples with equity.

¹¹ Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
       let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

¹² let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
       Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;

¹³ they will sing before the LORD, for he comes,
       he comes to judge the earth.
       He will judge the world in righteousness
       and the peoples in his truth.

—Psalm 149

—Pam Robison

If you have suggestions or ideas for future columns, please contact:
Jan Kraybill
Principal Organist and Director of Music
Community of Christ Headquarters
Independence, MO, USA

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Music Matters

July 2009

Sing a New Song?