Foundations Week 19, Day 2

Scripture Read: Psalm 148; 149; 150
Title: Sing Praise to the LORD
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the gody!  For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation"  Psalm 149:1, 4

(E) Explain:  “Sing to the Lord a new song”…  The Psalmist invites the people of God to sing, but we are not only called to sing but are called to sing a new song.  This does not necessarily imply that the song needs to be a fresh composition (so there is no need to write a new song every week); but it means that we are to sing a song in response to an experience of God’s grace.  We are to sing with a new heart.  
The word "praise" is used multiple times in the three Psalm passages and the Hebrew root word is "halal" which means to boast, celebrate, and be foolish. When we see the word in this context we can fully understand that praising God is synonymous to boasting about and celebrating God.  

(A) Application:  If you step back for a moment and look at how these Psalms can apply to you today you can ask these three questions.

1. Since I have salvation what shall I sing?  The answer: a new song.  What does that new song look and sound like?  It is a song that is sung with a new heart and with joy because you have experienced the life altering grace of God.
2. How should I sing this new song?  JOYFULLY with your voices and with instruments.  You may not be a musical person by nature; but as a Christian you are now full of joy.  Sing, in tune or out of tune, with a joyful heart.
3. Why should I sing?  Because your joy in salvation cannot always be expressed in words, so through music you can express your gratitude to God who has given everything to you so you respond by singing with your heart and express your joy in following Jesus.  If this isn’t convincing enough then you should sing because God’s Word tells you to.  In this Psalm the writer doesn’t say, “If you feel like it or are talented enough, then sing to the Lord a new song.”  Sorry, it doesn’t read like that.  It is a call to all of the nation of Israel, the nations of the earth and all of creation to SING joyfully and noisily unto the Lord because He has given reason (SALVATION – victory over death and evil) to celebrate and sing to Him. 

(R) Respond: God I will praise you in the morning, afternoon, and in the evening because you are worthy of all praise.  I will sing a new song unto you LORD because you are a great and mighty God who takes pleasure in his people.