A New Song for a New Year

DeeAnn Bragaw, Women’s Ministries Director for the North American Division

He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.

Psalm 40:3, NKJV

I opened my eyes and literally jumped out of bed! The first day of school had finally come and I couldn’t wait! I pulled the new, cute dress my grandma had made over my head, singing a happy little made-up song. A whole new world was before me, with a new teacher, new friends, and new adventures! Of course, I was in first grade. I didn’t have quite the same reaction in seventh grade. When the alarm went off, I definitely didn’t jump out of bed with a song. Now I’d have several teachers, the friend dynamics of pre-teen girls were challenging, and I was not at all confident about the clothes I wore that first day of junior high.

New. Sometimes we love it, sometimes we don’t. Sometimes new is exciting, other times, frightening. Today, on the first day of the new year, I’m so glad God’s Word gives us a way to make this year one filled with hope and promise in the “new.” No matter what has come before this day, or what will happen in the days ahead, He invites us to sing! Psalm 98:1 says, “Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!” (NKJV) Other versions invite us to sing to the Lord because He has done wonderful, amazing, miraculous, awesome, mighty things! Throughout the Psalms, we’re invited again and again to “Sing to the Lord a new song!”

But what if I’m struggling to find that song, and what if I can’t sing? His Word has the solution: He’ll give me the song! Psalm 40:3 says, “He has put a new song in my mouth.” And in Ezekiel 36:26, He says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (NKJV). Whatever the landscape of the year ahead, He’s already there, sis! And the beautiful thing about singing a new song of praise to our God? We’re told our song will create a song in the hearts of others! The rest of Psalm 40:3 tells us, “He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God. Now many will hear of the glorious things he did for me, and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in him” (TLB). So, He gives me the new song, and then causes my song to bring others to him. WOW! Who will hear your song today?

© 2022 by Pacific Press Publishing Association

DeeAnn Bragaw, Women’s Ministries Director for the North American Division