This Psalm encourages us to renew ourselves daily in order to grow deeper in the love of God. Though it begins by addressing the people of God, it gradually extends the call to all nations—and even to all of creation—to worship the Lord. Through this Psalm, we are invited to reflect on the joy of our salvation and to evaluate the anticipation we hold for the Second Coming of Jesus.
Sing A New Song
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. – Psalm 96:1-2 (NIV)
King David had appointed the Levites to worship God with songs, accompanied by various musical instruments (1 Chronicles 15:16–22). Imagine if they had been commanded to write and compose new songs every single day—how could they have managed that? Even today, new songs often emerge in response to public demand. For instance, YouTube is flooded with Christian gospel music, and many new songs are constantly being released to satisfy the growing appetite of listeners. However, such songs often feel monotonous and lack depth when compared to those born out of the movement of the Holy Spirit.
This Psalm exhorts us to sing a new song, but that doesn’t necessarily mean writing something entirely new each time. Even age-old hymns, written by people who encountered God’s hand in their darkest moments, can bring fresh revelations when our hearts are truly open. On the other hand, songs created merely to meet public demand—though technically new—may fail to renew or uplift the spirit. Many treat singing as a routine or performance, unknowingly stripping even old hymns of their spiritual power while deceiving themselves with the excitement of rhythmic, trendy songs.
Renewal Of Our Salvation
Paul emphasises the daily renewal of the inner being in his letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 4:16–18). Though our outward body perishes, the inner person is renewed day by day, growing stronger in anticipation of the promised eternal life. Salvation is not a one-time event; it requires continuous renewal. Every day, we must remind our souls of what God has done to save us from eternal death, the due consequence of our sins. Without this daily reflection, our inner being will lack the strength to grow, especially since no one else can nurture our faith for us. Many linger on past spiritual experiences to maintain an image of being God’s servants, instead of living in present renewal.
So, when we speak of singing a new song to the Lord each day, we must ask: Is it truly possible? There is no theoretical answer to this. It can only be tested through practical, daily application. If we believe that God’s grace is new every morning, then failing to sing a new song may simply reveal that we are not drawing from this fresh grace but clinging to past blessings and former encounters. When our spirits are truly renewed day by day, even old songs can be sung from a new and living perspective.
Joy Of His Coming
Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns. ”The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. – Psalm 96:10-13 (NIV)
We eagerly look forward to our loved ones returning home from work, yet strangely, we often lack the same anticipation for the return of our Lord Jesus, as the Judge. This is similar to students who dread seeing their exam results because they know they haven’t performed well. In contrast, those who have studied diligently are eager to see their results so they can move forward confidently toward higher goals.
In the same way, when we carry the assurance of forgiveness and the joy of salvation within us, we will long for His Second Coming. For those who have walked in obedience to the Father, it will be a moment of great joy and fulfilment.
Interestingly, this passage draws a comparison with the rest of creation—those without the gift of reason or “sixth sense.” These creatures will rejoice to see their Creator return in glory. It serves as a gentle reminder that the very gift of reason, which sets us apart, can also become a stumbling block when it causes us to hesitate or fear the return of our Saviour.
As the Lord prepares to judge the world in righteousness and its people in His faithfulness, we are called to examine ourselves deeply. What truly brings us joy? Is it the fleeting pleasures of this fallen world, or the unshakable joy that springs from envisioning the day of our Lord’s return?
If thoughts of His Second Coming trouble us, it may be time to rededicate our lives to God the Father—the only One who is able to preserve us until the day we inherit eternal life.
Father God, thank You for saving us from eternal death. Help us to hold fast to our salvation until the day we receive eternal life. Fill us with confidence and true joy, so that we may eagerly await Your Second Coming as our Righteous Judge. Sanctify us, and by Your grace, make us worthy of what we do not deserve, so that we may rejoice on the Day of Judgment. Amen.
The Jordan Valley 
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