Sing a New Song!

Psalm 98
O sing to the LORD a new song,
for the Lord has done marvelous things.
4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Our Psalm for the day captures the spirit of our hearts this Easter season. Yesterday as we gathered to celebrate the resurrection, we lifted our voices in triumphant song: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” “Rejoice the Lord is King!” “Sing the Resurrection Song!”

We listened as the brass, organ, and choir filled the sanctuary with Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”.

Every voice and instrument made a joyful noise to the Lord.

The melodious music of new life filled our bodies and souls. In the church, the Easter season is not one Sunday, but fifty days, of celebration. What good news! Our challenge is to carry this spirit of song from the Sunday morning Easter service into our daily lives.

For God is bringing forth new life all around us. Our call is to open our eyes and recognize the resurrections in our midst: the spring tulips peaking up in our gardens; the prayer blankets that keep us warm in our grief; the friend who comes to church for the first time; a brother who goes to rehab; a child who learns to forgive.

Once we see these resurrections, our call as Christians is to go out in the world singing this good news. In the words of the beloved hymn:
“Easter People, Raise Your Voices!”

God of new life and new songs,
We sing your praises, filled with joy for the gift of resurrection. Help us recognize the resurrections all around us, and sing of their glories to the world.
In the name of the resurrected one we pray, Amen.

Kate Hurst Floyd