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“A New Song…” Again
“A New Song…” Again
As we have spent the last several articles reflecting upon the value of a new song, I would lament not advocating singing a new song… again. There is rich value in repetition. Studies have shown again and again, that the more you repeat something out loud, the more convincing it becomes. This is why you are supposed to repeat, “I love you” to your spouse. Or, repeating things to yourself like, “I have value,” “I matter,” “I am not afraid,” make a difference in how you feel. Repetition makes it true. Repetition reminds us, this statement is trustworthy. We must also be careful to not repeat something so much that we diminish its impact. If you were to say, “I love you” to your spouse every ten minutes, it would be annoying and make it feel untrue. As opposed to a heartfelt expression, 2-4 times a day, which reinforces that truth. Now, lets relate that to songs…
If we were to sing Jesus Loves Me every service, for a while it would have some impact as we meditate upon that simple, yet profound truth. But after a short time, it would lose the force it should have. We cannot and should not overdo songs. It diminishes the significance of the message. You may enjoy the repetition, but you might be making it harder for everyone else to worship at their best. Occasionally repeat those old tried and true songs, but don’t repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat. It gets old.
The truth is still the truth and it bears repeating. The songs that express that high and lofty gospel message, are still worth repeating. This series is not an advocation to quit singing the old and bring in the new, or even old songs that would be new to us. It is an exhortation to think through our songs. This is not, just simple ritualistic religiosity. This is heartfelt, passionate, outcries of faith to our Great God. Yahweh who saves! Songs of prayer, of sorrow, of longing, of heaven, of warfare and soldiering, of wondering and home, songs of family and belonging, of mercy and patience, of God’s forbearance, and long-suffering. Songs declaring, “Yahweh is great and greatly to be praised.”
Sing a new song again and again as we seek to truly believe the message! “Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing His mercy and His grace. In the mansions bright and blessed, He’ll prepare for us a place. When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!? When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout for victory!” So, let us, “Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life; let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life; words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty; beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life; beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.” Amen and amen.
