A New Song
“He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.” - Psalms 40:3 NKJV
I remember waking up in the middle of the night several years ago after having a random song in my head. I was in school to become a researcher at the time, so of course I immediately proceeded to look for the song online. “Come on Metro Lyrics; don't fail me now!” Surely, I heard this song before on a Christian radio station and just had it in my head; I mean that does happen. You know that “I just can’t put my finger on it” kind of agony that comes when you’ve been humming a tune but just can’t remember who sings it. I meticulously searched high and low trying to figure out where I had heard this song before. Was it at church? Was it on TV? Did I sing it in the choir one day? I even searched for this song the next day. I spent all this time searching trying to find out where this song had originated that I didn't stop to realize that God had given me a new song. The Master of the Universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords, had come down to talk to ME in the middle of the night—through song.
"I spent all this time searching trying to find out where this song had originated that I didn't stop to realize that God had given me a new song."
That experience makes me wonder how many times has God planted a new song in us—some new idea, new project, or some new thing He wants us to do—but we flippantly pass it by because we think, “that’s not new; surely that song has been sung before.” While Ecclesiastics 1:9 says, “...there is nothing new under the sun…,” there is only one unique, gifted you. You, who are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). You, who God said, are my friend (John 15:15)! You, who God called out of darkness and into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9). YOU! Knowing those affirmations alone makes me want to shout! There may not be anything new under the sun, my friend, but when God gives you a new song, it becomes exceptionally different the moment you put your unique touch on it and surrender it to God.
I am so thankful that God is still in the song writing business. David, the psalmist says, “He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.” -- Psalms 40:3 NKJV. I am thankful that the Lord continues to restore my soul with a new song of His faithfulness and steadfast love.
"I am thankful that He continues to restore my soul with a new song of His faithfulness and steadfast love."
But you know something, the verses before Psalms 40:3 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.” - Psalms 40:1-2 NKJV. You see, the Lord can bring you a new song when you least expect it—when you are down in the pit like the psalmist says or when you've lost all hope. And while being in the middle of that devastating pit, that unremitting storm, that painful breakup, or that untimely layoff, can make you feel like there is no hope; remember God can give you a new song even in the midst of it all! Now, that song may be in a different key or range than you're used to, but when the King of kings gives you a song, guess what, you sing it anyway! In the same way, God may not always show up like we want, when we want, but He is always on time. He can restore; He can heal! And not only that, He can do “exceedingly abundantly above” all that you can ask or even think (Ephesians 3:20-21). So while you may think that God has just given you a new song (or single, if you will), He may be preparing you to create a masterfully-crafted album. Don’t put limits on God. Trust Him. He is faithful.
"And while being in the middle of that devastating pit, that unremitting storm, that painful breakup, or that untimely layoff, can all make you feel like there is no hope; remember God can give you a new song even in the midst of it all!"
The end of Psalms 40:3 says, “Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.” You see, your new song, new ministry, new business or some other unique endeavor, may cause others to put their trust in the Lord. They may hear your testimony and take a leap of faith in their own lives. Your song may be an incredible blessing to others. So, choose to listen for the song in the eye of the storm; listen for the song even when you don’t want to hear it, listen for the song in the midst of your every day life. I still remember that song the Lord gave me. It is a sweet reminder of His remarkable, fervent love. So when God gives you a new song, my friend, sing! Sing it loud, sing it off key, sing it in your heart if you have to, but for heaven’s sake, just sing!
"When God gives you a new song, my friend, sing! Sing it loud, sing it off key, sing it in your heart if you have to, but for heaven’s sake, just sing!"
Questions to Consider
Is there a "new song" (idea, project, career, ministry, etc.) that God has placed on your heart? If so, what is holding you back from saying "yes" to His will?
What steps can you take this week to respond to the song God laid on your heart?
Verses on New Songs
"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth." - Psalms 96:1 NKJV
"I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You," - Psalms 144:9 NKJV
“Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!”- Isaiah 42:10 NKJV
Blog post written by: Meredith B.L. Anderson, Ph.D.
