“O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. —Psalm 98:1-2
There are three grand occasions in scripture associated with song and God’s “marvellous things.” Significantly, all three involve the Son of God.
The first song, the earliest in history, was at creation. When God broke His silence at the end of Job’s long and painful struggle, He asked, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth…[and] the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy [Job 38:4, 7]?” The entire chapter celebrates the marvel of creation and the wisdom, power and glory of God. Remember that the Son of God was the executor of that incredible enterprise, for “all things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made [John 1:3].” On that auspicious occasion a supernatural chorus celebrated the glory of God and of His Christ.
That glorious song was all too quickly turned to sighing when Adam gave his allegiance to Satan rather than His majestic Creator and “the creation was made subject to vanity [Rom. 8:20].” A cry then arises for a new song. It is frequent in the Psalms, but reaches its zenith in the Old Testament in Isaiah 42, where a second “marvellous thing” of Divine origin is noted. “Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof [Isa. 42:10].” The occasion is the consecration of the Son of God for His great redemptive undertaking.
This call for a new song anticipates the whole colossal undertaking of Christ, under the Father’s authority, to provide a remedy for the ruin wrought by Adam’s rebellion. A “marvellous thing” indeed!
The third occasion of a “new song” is found in the last book of the Bible. It is this toward which our text for today is specifically focused. Spurgeon says, "the present Psalm is a sort of Coronation Hymn, officially proclaiming the conquering Messiah as Monarch over the nations, with blast of trumpets, clapping of hands, and celebration of triumphs. It is a singularly bold and lively song." The song here called for and anticipated is finally sung:
When the King is crowned and order is restored the “new song” will sound throughout heaven and earth honoring the “marvelous works” and the majesty of Christ who is the Creator, Redeemer and Lord of heaven and earth. For “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [Phil. 2:9-11].” What a great day that will be!
May those who are even now numbered among the redeemed be rehearsing that song of praise every day “till He comes.”
For His glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
There are three grand occasions in scripture associated with song and God’s “marvellous things.” Significantly, all three involve the Son of God.
The first song, the earliest in history, was at creation. When God broke His silence at the end of Job’s long and painful struggle, He asked, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth…[and] the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy [Job 38:4, 7]?” The entire chapter celebrates the marvel of creation and the wisdom, power and glory of God. Remember that the Son of God was the executor of that incredible enterprise, for “all things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made [John 1:3].” On that auspicious occasion a supernatural chorus celebrated the glory of God and of His Christ.
That glorious song was all too quickly turned to sighing when Adam gave his allegiance to Satan rather than His majestic Creator and “the creation was made subject to vanity [Rom. 8:20].” A cry then arises for a new song. It is frequent in the Psalms, but reaches its zenith in the Old Testament in Isaiah 42, where a second “marvellous thing” of Divine origin is noted. “Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof [Isa. 42:10].” The occasion is the consecration of the Son of God for His great redemptive undertaking.
“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:” (See Isa. 42:1-16)
This call for a new song anticipates the whole colossal undertaking of Christ, under the Father’s authority, to provide a remedy for the ruin wrought by Adam’s rebellion. A “marvellous thing” indeed!
The third occasion of a “new song” is found in the last book of the Bible. It is this toward which our text for today is specifically focused. Spurgeon says, "the present Psalm is a sort of Coronation Hymn, officially proclaiming the conquering Messiah as Monarch over the nations, with blast of trumpets, clapping of hands, and celebration of triumphs. It is a singularly bold and lively song." The song here called for and anticipated is finally sung:
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Rev. 5:9-13)
When the King is crowned and order is restored the “new song” will sound throughout heaven and earth honoring the “marvelous works” and the majesty of Christ who is the Creator, Redeemer and Lord of heaven and earth. For “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [Phil. 2:9-11].” What a great day that will be!
May those who are even now numbered among the redeemed be rehearsing that song of praise every day “till He comes.”
For His glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
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