Psalm 96:1
Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth. Psalm 96:1
Our Secret Weapon
In April 2014 in Southwest Atlanta, nine-year-old Willie Myrick was kidnapped by a man from their home’s driveway. The kidnapper dropped him off sometime later. The peculiar story highlights the actions of the young boy in the hours preceding his release. Willie told the police that he sang the song, “Every Praise” by Hezekiah Walker until the man got fed up and threw him out of the car (Alexander, 2014). When the Israelites got to Jericho and saw how big the wars were, they chose a strange strategy of war. No, they did not build a trojan horse, they sang. They sang and blew trumpets every day and on the seventh day the wall came down (Joshua 6).
When you read across the Bible you will find many examples of battles won with music. The words are almost word for word taken from a song King David sang after the ark of the covenant was placed in Jerusalem. Public worship was not only common in Israel, but also powerful. When words are not enough to demonstrate the meaning behind them, singing conveys the message. The Psalmist’s call to us to sing to the Lord a new song.
The Song Of Salvation
He is giving an exhortation to worship. He is inviting God’s people to praise the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ. These verses are filled with hope for the fulfilment of the promise of the coming Messiah. He is encouraging us to look forward to the salvation of the Lord. The call was for the Jews only but also for the gentiles. This is a prophecy calling out the salvation of the gentiles years after the psalm was written by King David.
In the Bible when the term new song is used, it refers to a victory song like the one King David did (Revelation 5:9). It is a song to tell all the acts and deeds of the lord. It is a medium to communicate the salvation of the Lord to all the earth. These are songs of assurance and praise to the indelible character and faithfulness of God. We sing about the forgiveness of sins we have been graciously given. We will sing about the greatness of God in ages past and eternity. All the earth and God’s creation bows and sings praises to the great name of God (Psalm 66:24).
The Stones Will Sing
Moses and the Israelites sang after both horse and driver died in the sea chasing after them. This invitation still applies to us today. Even if we think we have no reason to praise God for, the salvation of the world through the sacrifice of God’s only son on the cross is magnificent. The victory of the cavalry is worthy of our perpetual praise. Worship to God is not a private thing between ourselves and the Almighty. Worship involves proclamation. The psalmist frequently uses “shout to the lord” as a substitute for “sing unto the Lord.” when the Pharisees asked people to stop praising Jesus said, “I tell you, if these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!” (Luke 19:40).
King James Version (KJV)
“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.”
New International Version (NIV)
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
New American Bible (NASB)
“Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing it everywhere around the world!”
