Psalm 96 is truly a worship psalm. The words sing, proclaim, bless, tell, ascribe, worship, say and tremble are all words that require a personal response to God. I am responsible to act on and live these words. I have to chuckle at how I am to sing to the Lord a new song. I was not gifted with a wonderful singing voice. When I occasionally pull out the old hymnal and plunk away at the piano and sing at the top of my voice in the privacy of my own house, the dogs suddenly vanish from the room. It’s not my gift to sing, but that’s okay — I’m still commanded to sing a new song.
What keeps me from singing a new song and living out all the words of worship? The simple answer is sin. The complex answer is sin. It’s always been sin; only why am I the last one to see it in my own life?
I have a cataract in my left eye that needs to be fixed. It’s like a thin veil over my sight. It’s a bit cloudy. Surgery will fix it, but what will fix the cloudiness of sin over my heart? The Lord often has to set me aside to help me refocus so I can worship Him from a cleansed heart.
I stumble around in the dark over my sin. I’ve tried to side step, avoid, excuse and condone it. When my heart becomes hardened I lose my focus of who He is. When I shift my focus onto His glory and His greatness, I truly see with great joy the magnitude of a living God who loves me and has forgiven me.
I’m convinced that the root of sin which keeps us from true worship is pride. Pride is always a focus on self rather than on God and others. All sin is related to pride, but one that often stands in the way of worship is unforgiveness. Is there something or someone who has wounded us in the past or present?
Unforgiveness can define us. We become comfortable with it. It becomes part of our DNA. We think about it on a daily basis. It keeps cropping up in our conversations. We don’t think people notice, but they do. It affects our close relationships, ministry, and most importantly, our worship and walk with God. It also hinders our prayers and usefulness for His glory.
The ultimate sacrificial act of forgiveness was made by Christ on the cross for our sins. It’s the purest act of love. The bottom line is, because of His forgiveness we can and must forgive others. The gospel must define us on a daily basis so that our first and best response to God will be to bow before Him in worship.
The cloudy veil has been lifted, the spiritual surgery is complete. I want to proclaim, and yes even sing off-key for His glory. God has refreshed, forgiven, and given me new sight. I can truly sing a new song and bless His holy name!
Lord, may I tell of your glory and wonderful deeds. May I worship and tremble before you. May I remember that all the trees of the forest will sing for joy. In response to this, help me to live out singing a new song so that others will see You.
“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many we see and fear And will trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:3