The Power of a New Song Part 2

Passage

"Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying:

"For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever,"

that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God." 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (NKJV)

Pondering

David's new song, as recorded in Psalm 136, was so powerful that it was continuously used in Israel's history. The first recorded instance of its use is at Solomon's dedication of the Temple. As the worship team played and sang this song the whole Temple was filled with with the glory of God and the priests were overwhelmed and unable to continue ministering as they were used to.

Notice that the new song is totally God focused! There's no me or I in it and it totally exalts and dwells on the character and nature of God as good and full of mercy. The Hebrew word used for "good" is "toeb", meaning "good in the widest sense: Beautiful, best, bountiful, cheerful and prosperous". Hence, it goes way beyond our modern meaning and may be best interpreted as "full of abundant richness". The Hebrew word used for "mercy" is "checed" which is always used of the covenantal lovingkindness and faithfulness of the Lord.

As we sing forth new songs with our whole heart, dedicating our temple, our body, to the Lord, focussing solely on God and His goodness and mercy then the Lord will meet us in a special way, maybe even sweeping us off our feet as the priest were in Solomon's temple! I've experience this quite a few times - when I focus wholly on God and worship Him with new songs I have sensed the glory of God falling, sometimes even physically seeing what appears to be a cloud fill the place where I am and I am dumb struck with His goodness and loving kindness, unable to minister, only able to be ministered to!

I challenge you to simply sing out the phrase, "For He is good and His mercy endures forever" with all your heart before the Lord in your quiet time with Him and you will experience something of God's glory.

Poem

As we sing of His goodness,
As we sing of His grace,
He will reach down to bless
And reveal His face.

Prayer

"Lord, Your are totally good and awesomely merciful, full of lovingkindness and compassion. I pour myself out before You, singing of You and focusing on You alone. Amen!"