Singing a New Song

““Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain

to receive power and wealth

 and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!””

(From Rev.5:11-14)

In the book Independent People, there's a story about a boy entering a church for the first time. He had never seen people like this before, so decent and happy. Such is life, he concludes, when it is lived in peace and song.

For me, singing is the soul's voice engaging body, mind, and spirit. Whether sung in Westminster Cathedral, with the brothers at Weston Priory chanting the psalms, or a small congregation singing "Amazing Grace".

That's why I'm attracted to the Book of Revelation and its passages with singing. Its fifteen hymns are sung to encourage Gods people on earth from the perspective of heaven. 

Revelation makes a spirited connection between worship and justice, between liturgy and political transformation. 

Revelation's bold claim is that singing is a deep source of hope, and at the end of the day, singing is everlasting. 

John's Revelation makes it clear that it's not just singing any songs, but singing "with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain" (vs.12). 

Therefore, the singing in Revelation is about remaining faithful to Jesus in difficult times. 

The story line in Independent People focuses on a tenant farmer in Iceland struggling to remain free of debt after purchasing his farm. The farmer is surrounded by people who feel debt isn't so bad, especially the former Landlord.

The farmer's challenge is remaining faithful to the vision of freedom from debt drives the story.

John's vision in Revelation is about remaining faithful to Jesus' call of caring for the poor. 

It is my conviction that as we sing songs of faith, particularly during difficult times, we experience a deep hope, not just for ourselves, but for all God's creatures.