February 2
Colossians 3.15-17
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
One of my classmates in Seminary was our nephew. He had told us about the exchange he had with someone where this text came up. The person he was working with was convinced that we should only sing Psalms in worship. He first mentioned that one of the Psalms has a line to sing a new song. If I sing all the Psalms, then what? I need a new song. And then he brought it back here. It doesn’t say to sing Psalms, Psalms and Psalms. Psalms were just one of the things to use.
With that, I appreciate the use of Psalms. They have been used in much of the newer music for worship, such as 10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103). I used Psalm 34 with a post earlier in this week. And there many more of the recent songs, as with the older ones. It is about the purpose of all of those songs, that it is to teach and admonish one another. Thinking about what we can learn from the songs we sing.
When we come to a place of worship, gathering this Sunday morning in various places, or any other day of the week, we sing songs of worship. Pay attention to the words we sing. Some speaking of what we believe about God. Others words of God to us. Songs that speak our words of praise and adoration to God. What does it mean that we sing these words together? Building faith in, and in others, as we sing those Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Song – Sing a New Song Unto the Lord
Prayer
Holy God, we pray your blessing on those who lead us in worship this coming Sunday, those who speak and sing and move among us, those who direct others in singing and playing, those who have prepared worship with beauty. We ask that each of them may lead with a sense of peace and confidence that comes from your Spirit, so that your truth may be proclaimed faithfully and we may live up to our calling as the body of Christ. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.