The Power of a New Song Part 1

Passage

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
7 To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever--
8 The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever. "
Ps alm136:1-9 NKJV)

Pondering

There is a song in the Old Testament that appears many times and was used throughout Jewish history at important events and had a powerful impact when used. This song became known as the 'Great Hallel' and was sung at all the important feasts of Israel and is recorded in full in Psalm 136.

This Psalm was probably originally written by King David. King David was a worshipper who established the Tabernacle of David to renew worship in Israel. It was at this Tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant was stationed, that he probably sang this song first as a spontaneous new song in it's basic, primitive form. It may later have been adapted and had additional verses added by David himself or other Psalmists and became a powerful anthem for Israel at important times in their development.

It was sung responsively (see Ezra 3:11), meaning that the leader of worship would sing one line and then the whole congregation would sing the next line and so on until the end. I have only included 9 verses above, the Psalm is actually 26 verses long. As you progress through the Psalm it is a powerful declaration of God's goodness and lovingkindness to the nation of Israel. When this Psalm is quoted in Scripture only the first verse or a variation thereof is quoted but the rest was probably sung in its entirety.

It is important for a group of God's people, whether it be a local church , cell group or missions organization to have a clear identity. A song or motto that comes from within is a powerful binding agent and motivates the members to move on for the greater glory. In the case of a local church, or any group of God's people for that matter, a prophetic song of praise to God that rises out of the body of believers is a powerful force.

Do you have a song that God has given you for your life? A song for your family? For your Church? Pray for Davids to arise up who will pen songs that speak in a specific and powerful way to those God has placed together with you. Maybe you are that David!

Poem

We must decrease, You must increase,
Let Your glory fall in this place.
We must decrease, You must increase,
Lord we want to see You face to face.

(This was a spontaneous new song the lord gave in this Tuesday night's prayer meeting and the whole congregation was singing it together.)

Prayer

"Father, fill me with songs of deliverance, songs that are meaningful to me, to my family and to my local church. Raise up Davids in my fellowship that will write new songs that minister powerfully and take us to the next level. Amen."