When a new song comes
it comes from within
sounding like you,
praising the One who made you as you.
Praise is not something we have to drum up, or cajole ourselves into creating. If we pause and allow ourselves to be quiet enough to hear inside, we will hear something. The challenge becomes whether we will judge what we hear. Or jump out of our chair. Or look at our phone.
If we can just allow ourselves to be still just as we are, right where we are, what emerges can be the early sounds of a new song. We simply need to give it space to form as the Spirit interacts with us in the listening.
As we hear it through –
the worries, the frustration, the anger, the shame, the sorrow, the ache, the pain, the jealousy, the longing, the desire
– allowing them to be symbolized as they want to and allowing the Spirit to accompany us right there, something will birth inside us.
Yes, something new is birthed within. It may bring the smallest shards of hope or peace or trust inside. And we know. A new song has come. Sometimes it’s soft and silent. Sometimes it’s boisterous and loud. Sometimes it might begin with, “I’ve still got nothing…”. Or something like that.
We are invited to come. Simply come. And allow the Spirit to birth a new song is us afresh this day.
Psalm 98 RSV
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.
The LORD has made known his victory,
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
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.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
before the LORD, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 98 The Message
Sing to GOD a brand-new song.
He’s made a world of wonders!
He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.
GOD made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.
He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.
The whole earth comes to attention.
Look—God’s work of salvation!
Shout your praises to GOD, everybody!
Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!
Round up an orchestra to play for GOD,
Add on a hundred-voice choir.
Feature trumpets and big trombones,
Fill the air with praises to King GOD.
Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,
With everything living on earth joining in.
Let ocean breakers call out, “Encore!”
And mountains harmonize the finale—
A tribute to GOD when he comes,
When he comes to set the earth right.
He’ll straighten out the whole world,
He’ll put the world right, and everyone in it.
