Music is powerful and when we hear a particular song, it can take us back to memories from years ago. These songs are imbedded in us. The Bible tells us to “sing to the Lord a new song”. Tehillah means, “a new or spontaneous song”. This doesn’t mean that old songs are bad…

In Psalm 40:1-3, we get a picture of David’s mind as a songwriter. The music he wrote was often birthed out of a tough time where God revealed Himself to David in a new way. David speaks of going from a “miry pit” to “a rock” because of God’s grace and intervention.

Verse 3 is where our word “tehillah” shows up when the it says, “He put a song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” The Psalms (tehillim) are songs of worship. A “new song” is a reaction to a new mercy. It is a response to God’s grace and blessing. So, you can sing an old song with a new heart of understanding, which makes it a new song.

Lamentations 3:22-23 shows us that we can sing a new song everyday! It is a way to thank God for His goodness. When people sing an old song for the first time, it is a new song. Old and new is not a date; it is hearing the Holy Spirit and responding to Him.

What is the purpose of singing a new song? Verse 3b says, “many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.” You can “show” someone a song by showing them that your life is different. You become the new song for another. In Psalm 78:4, the word tehillah means, “deeds”. We can show others our new song. We need to show the next generation our good deeds so that they can see the heart of God!

1. What old songs come to mind and what do they make you remember? Play (or sing) that song to your family and talk about those memories. Why is music so powerful?

2.Look for ways that God does mighty deeds each day this week and share those with one another at the dinner table.

3. Pick a Psalm and put a melody to it. Sing it back to God.