Sing for the King!
by Pastor Stephen Abraham
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Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing to the Lord, all the world! (Psalm 96:1)
Read Psalm 96
I have a confession to make. Although I’m a classically trained pianist, I am also a bit of a metalhead! So, when Extreme (one of my favourite bands) was touring Australia recently, I bought tickets, queued up, got excited, head-banged and sang my lungs out at their gig with a good friend. And as a few thousand voices sang the last words of their ballad ‘More Than Words’ in unison, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt exclaimed in awe, ‘Wow, it’s like a church in here!’
Psalms 96 to 99 are a series of royal songs celebrating God as King. Part of Psalm 96 is the specific psalm sung as King David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 15 and 16. It is a psalm of excitement, victory and great joy. According to 1 Chronicles 16:5,6, the Levitical band rocked pretty hard with lyres, harps, percussion and brass. Even King David was dancing to the beat (1 Chronicles 15:29)!
Whether it is a rock concert, a stirring hymn or even a footy anthem, there is no denying that there is something powerful in communal singing – unifying psychology and a meditative quality of relaxed focus that is both uniquely human and even otherworldly. So, it’s no surprise that in this Epiphany season, we remember one of the biggest Old Testament worship festivals of all time, as God’s mobile throne – the Ark – appeared before the people and made its way to the tabernacle (the place of his holy presence on earth). As we read this psalm, knowing how things turned out, we harken back to the heart of the gospel message – the fullness of God’s power and glory are no longer in this gilded throne – they are revealed in the Word made flesh – the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
The psalm begins with a call to sing a new song to the Lord. This ‘new song’ is not one of novelty but renewal. In Christ, we have a new song of salvation that the world desperately needs to hear: Emmanuel – God with us.
Lord Jesus, we rejoice at your appearance on earth and your continuing presence with us. Holy Spirit, stir our hearts to sing, proclaim to the world boldly, and share the magnificent message that ‘God is with us’ with our neighbours, friends and all who need to hear. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a musician and Lutheran pastor who retired early due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain (documented by Lutheran Media on its Messages of hope YouTube channel and radio program). As his condition allows, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
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