“Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people” (v1). God’s people – “the people of Zion” – are urged to bring new songs of praise to God in response to His kindness. Israel praised God in communal, public celebrations (“dancing ... timbrel and harp” v3), and they also sang and worshipped in private, “on their beds” (5). Declaring the truth about God was part of both praise and judgment (v6-9), and eventually the “new song” became the truth of God’s salvation (Acts 14:15).

“For the Lord takes delight in his people” (4). We do not worship an impersonal or unresponsive deity, but instead we sing to the Lord who knows us, loves us, and delights in our praise.