Music is a blessing to the church, and I thank God for the composers and arrangers who have shared their songs with us to sing. But I believe that more people should consider writing and singing their own personal hymns of worship, even if they don’t lead or perform them from a stage.
This may appear daunting. When I first began writing my own songs, I remember how it was hard to start. It seemed silly, and it was scary to share. I sometimes still feel this way. But now that I have written more songs, I have a bit more bravery and care when composing.
My most recent work, written in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, is “God is the Strength of My Heart and My Portion Forever.” It’s a prayer of trust and proclamation of hope in God. And after writing several songs for my local church to sing over the years, I want to share why I have found it to be a vital spiritual discipline in my own personal life and walk with God.
1. We Are Commanded In Scripture To Sing New Songs To God
Psalm 98:1 – Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The Psalmist makes an excellent point in this verse: we have new songs to sing because God has done marvelous things! Our God is a God who works wonders. Songs are a fitting way to celebrate salvation.
Singing new songs is a rightful response to a heart that has been moved. While we love timeless truths, we also enjoy experiencing and expressing them in new and fresh ways. God does not enjoy vain repetition, so new songs are not just novelties. They are reflections of a life that has been changed.
Maybe the songs you write will not be sung in the church. But that shouldn’t stop you from practicing this command and your own personal enjoyment of praising God. No song is wasted when it is written in the name of Jesus. You will find it to be a sanctifying exercise, and God will still be glorified.
2. We Become Better Stewards Of Our Creative Gifts And Talents
Psalm 40:3 – He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
We are to take care of what that God has given us. This Psalm makes it clear that it is God who gives us songs by putting them in our mouths. And we know that we are not to hoard and hide what God gives us. The new song for the Psalmist was given so that many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
The Psalmist knows who gave him the song and the purpose behind it. God gives his gifts for many reasons. We should see to it that we invest what God has given us for the good of the Kingdom and the glory of Christ.
I encourage you to cultivate the craft of songwriting. Make memorable melodies, work wisely with words, and present your songs in an attractive style. Collaborate with others and create music and art that is good, beautiful, and true.
3. We Reflect The Local Life Of The Church In Our Lyrics, Style, And Sound
Psalm 144:9 – I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you.
The ten-stringed harp is a native Hebrew instrument that David was known to play. Does this mean that we must only be singing songs accompanied by ten-stringed harps? No – it is simply a concrete example of Hebrew culture.
Diversity in cultures and music is beautiful. We are a kaleidoscope of God’s creativity. And when we write songs, they can be an artistic outworking of specific situations and circumstances matched with your unique skill and style.
If you are allowed to sing your songs at church, use them to encourage and bless your congregation. Make them memories that everyone can cherish. The church stage is not the place for your personal brand. It is not an altar for your ego. Let your songs be a gift to the church and an offering to God.
The Scroll And The Lamb
I pray you are challenged. I pray this makes you uncomfortable. I want you to write, and I summon you to sing. It’s not about fame or fortune. Some of us have been holding back that which belongs to God. And until I pass away or Jesus comes again, I don’t plan to stop singing new songs. Actually, even then, I’ll still have a new song to sing.
“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)