By Protus Seda
Ps. 33. Is a beautiful praise psalm believed to be written by David (a great musician and composer). He starts us with a call to praise in v1-3. How wonderful to chant this for a Monday morning, the first day of the week. Sing joyfully to the Lord!
In the subsequent verses, the psalmist lists some of the reasons to praise God. Do you have reasons to praise God? Think about it for a moment because there are many reasons we should praise God.
“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
(Psalm. 33:1-3).
The words that attracted my attention in the psalm are, not only to sing joyfully, but to sing a “new song”.
The NIV Bible commentary directs us to Isaiah 42, which is a very familiar text. Here, the prophet announces God’s salvation plan – the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 42:1 reads “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” – the same words God declared about Jesus Christ at his baptism as witnessed and written in the gospels (Matt.3:17, Lk. 3:22, Mar. 1:11). Brothers and sisters, this is the new song in the psalms today. God’s declaration of justice to the nations (v. 4). God’s grace and mercy to me and you; to open the eyes of the blind, to free the people from captivity, to bring light to those who sit in darkness (v.7). Brethren, Jesus Christ is the new song! Christ death on the cross is the new song; Christ’s resurrection and eternal life for me and you is the new song!.
Earlier I asked; do you have reasons to praise God and to sing a new song? – Maybe a song of God’s love revealed in your life, a new song of acceptance of Jesus Christ in your life, a song of miracles in your life, a song God’s grace, faithfulness and mercy in your life. That new job, new beginnings, renewed relationships (son, daughter, spouse), a new born child, … you have every reason to sing unto the Lord joyfully – a new song!
Let us pray; Merciful and loving God, we thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. In baptism you invited us to die in sin and in his resurrection we are made a new. We thank you for the new things that happen in our lives. We thank you for the gifts and miracles you bestow upon us everyday. Amen
This week, I will be careful to sing a new song unto the Lord, for the great things he has done and continue to do in my life. Have a blessed Monday and week ahead.
