I can’t imagine a church where there’s no singing. It is such a natural response . . . or is it a supernatural response? . . . to the glory and grace of God. I find it sad to see members of the family of God who can be gathered in the assembly of His people, surrounded by music (whether a voice leading in a cappella praise, or a piano, or a guitar, or a full band) and not find their voice . . . who appear to be disinterested. I don’t think it’s about whether or not your “musical” . . . I think it’s about whether or not you’ve entered into the wonder of the God of your salvation. I’ve read Psalms 95 and 96 this morning . . . and they crying out to me, “Sing, sing, sing!”

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song!” (Ps. 96:1a)

That’s the “what” . . . a new song. It’s the song of the redeemed . . . the song of deliverance . . . the song of hope . . . the song of “I once was blind, but now I see!” It’s fresh . . . His mercies and compassions are new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23) . . . He provides strength for the day . . . each morning He is present . . . how can the song not be fresh? It doesn’t grow old . . . it’s not the “same old, same old” . . . no, it’s a new and vibrant song because it is founded in His glory . . . it’s a new song because, while the words might be familiar, their subject is so beyond familiarity. The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised (96:4) . . . Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary (96:7) . . . how awesome is our God! . . . sing a new song!

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth” (96:1b)

That’s the “who” . . . all the earth. God’s people are called to sing certainly, but God’s creation is called to sing, as well. ” . . . let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field be joyful and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord” (95:11-13a). There is a song for all the earth to sing. Creation declaring His glory and proclaiming His infinite wisdom and creativity, while the people of God are to ascribe to Him glory and strength . . . to give to Him the glory due His name (96:7-8).

“Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.” (96:2)

And there’s the “why!” Our song’s grand theme . . . that which drives us to bless His name with whatever melody our hearts and souls and feeble voices can muster up . . . the theme of our melodic offering is the good news of His salvation. Maybe that’s what behind “songless saints” . . . they’ve lost sight of glorious wonder of their salvation. If the psalmist was moved by what he knew of God’s salvation back then, how much more should those who know about the cross, offer songs of worship? Oh, the depth of love shown by God in sending His Son to rescue us from sin and death. Oh, the grace of God in paying in full the debt I owed through the blood of His anointed, Jesus my redeemer. Oh, how can I keep from singing?

Sing, sing, sing . . . to the Lord. He is our audience. We worship in the beauty of holiness (96:9). His holiness . . . and the holiness that is ours in Christ. By His blood and through His Spirit we enter onto holy ground . . . we enter into the holy of holies . . . and we are asked to sing . . . to sing to the Lord. We don’t have to wait for Sunday morning . . . we don’t have to be great tenors or sopranos . . . but, I think, we do have to sing . . . sing . . . sing.