"Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples." (Ps 96:1-3 NIV)
In the Bible we find 9 references to singing a "new song" to the LORD [Psalm (6), Isaiah (1), Revelation (2)]. BUT why a NEW song? Why not limit ourselves to the sacred Book of Psalms or the great time honoured hymns of the faith, or maybe the top 100 CCLI contemporary worship songs selection. Wouldn't it be easier to sing the songs we know? Why a new song?
Could it be because we must find our own words to express the faith we have received? We must find the lyrics that bear witness to the unique relationship we have with our LORD both as individuals and as a collective body of worshippers. New songs, new lyrics, new tunes, new musical instruments and arrangements give new and fresh expression to our experience and understanding of the reality of God's transforming revelation in our individual and collective lives.
Without new songs, we are merely repeating and transmitting our knowledge and data about God. New songs give fresh expression to the Gospel as it is revealed to us day by day. It is not that God has changed and thus needs to be redefined but rather our context, our language, our relationship with God has changed and thus needs new lyrics, and new sounds to express it.
New songs do not stand in opposition to the old but rather carry forward the psalmist's mandate to bring together God's people to "sing to the LORD a new song."
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