We are blessed at our church to have an accompanist who is talented, faithful, kind, and sassy. Yes, sassy. She is humorous in ways that connect people and make you chortle. She recently challenged our youth director in a Facebook post to teach the kids a new song and dance that has gone viral on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Have you seen it? The artist is Forrest Frank, and the song is called, “Celebration.” This lively song is a mix of Christian pop and hip hop and is full of hope, joy, and challenging dance steps. I know because I tried to do it. I ended up with a bruise. (check it out here.)

This week’s lectionary is a celebration song of its own kind, just without the dance steps. But it speaks right into Frank’s vision for singing to the Lord a NEW song. Think about that for a minute. Why do we need new songs when the old ones have worked so well for generations? Don’t new songs threaten the status quo and upset the delicate balance of theology, expectations, and musical limits? Why would we want new songs?

I think the reason is because God deserves new expressions of praise with each generation. God, whose mercies are made new every morning, is truly worthy of something fresh and dynamic from his people. God, who has created and is creating, invites us to experience his steadfast love and faithfulness every single day. God has earned a response of joyful noise breaking forth in joyous songs that demonstrate our love and thanksgiving for everything he has provided for us.

Psalm 98

O sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
    have gotten him victory.
² The Lord has made known his victory;
    he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
³ He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
    the victory of our God.

⁴ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
⁵ Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
    with the lyre and the sound of melody.
⁶ With trumpets and the sound of the horn
    make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

And not only should the people of God respond with a new song, but all of creation joins in harmony as the seas and the hills take their places on the drum set and guitar in a praise band like no other.

⁷ Let the sea roar and all that fills it,
    the world and those who live in it.
⁸ Let the floods clap their hands;
    let the hills sing together for joy
⁹ at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
    to judge the earth.

And the best news of all? This psalm proclaims that God is the judge of the world, and his judgment is done with equity. His judgement will never be tainted by ideology or prejudice, and he can’t be bribed. Justice will rain down evenly upon us, and the oppressed and those who were denied justice in this life will receive fairness and righteousness.

He will judge the world with righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.

I can’t think of a better reason for a new song. Can you?

Let’s Have a Celebration