IT NEVER GETS OLD –

The writer of this psalm decided to make a compilation of David’s praise song in 1Chr. 16:8-12, Asaph’s Psalm 78, as well as repeating some of the wording in Isaiah’s song of praise (Isa. 12:4-6) as a contribution to the Hallelujah Hymnal portion of the Psalter. He wanted to emphasize the need to honor God for all He has already done before we ask Him for more. The psalmist knew that when we get despondent and lose our joy, it’s best to remember an old song that gave us a sense of assurance and feelings of love, and sing it over and over again until the joy returns. It may be hard at first, but soon it activates our memory and breaks our emotional gridlock, letting our soul soar to higher ground.

“Let us hear you praise the LORD Eternal; describing who He is so everyone everywhere can hear what He’s done for you. Sing choruses and hymns about His miracles and mighty deeds. Boast about how special He is, so more and more people will get excited about getting to know Him. Learn all you can about the LORD Eternal and His power; don’t stop until you know as much about Him as you can. Study about the wonders He has performed; about His miracles and all His teachings.” Psalm 105:1-5

Reflection: During the second war in South Africa between Great Britain and the Dutch settlers, a visitor returning to England told a story about soldiers passing one another on the way to and from the front lines. The troops departing the combat zone greeted their replacements with the words: “Four-nine-four, boys; four-nine-four.” The arriving troops would reply, “Six further on, boys, six further on.” The visitor did not understand what this coded message meant, so he asked one of the servicemen to explain. The soldier told him that in a small hymn book sent to them from back home, on page 494 was the song, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” and six pages further on was the song, “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine.” No doubt the psalmist wanted this song to be passed on from generation to generation, so that they never forgot who got them where they were and who would get them to where they needed to be. These troops in South Africa illustrate how faith becomes fortified when we share what God did in the past, in order to inspire hope for the future. If it worked for those soldiers; it should work for God’s army and His soldiers of the cross. Never let the new generation of believers forget what God did for you, so they can live by the same blessed assurance. But most of all, that God will receive all the praise, glory and honor He rightly deserves for every battle won.