Now notice it says that we are to sing unto the Lord a new song. The other day I was driving down the freeway, thinking about other things, not paying much attention to what was being broadcast on the radio. I was waiting for the newscast which was scheduled for the hour straight up. All of a sudden my mind was drawn to the broadcast as I heard a song being sung. It was an old tune and one I can remember playing when I was a disc jockey at a radio station almost more years ago now than I care to remember. In those days, when this song first came out, it caught my immediate attention. I began to play it over and over and over again. The other disc jockeys of our radio station, as well as at other broadcast facilities across the United States, were doing the same. Before long, the record and its tune became the best seller. It was num ber one on the hit parade for a num ber of weeks. By the time it reached that point, however, it had become so disgustingly boring and unappeal ing to me that I hated to have to play it when people called in for requests. Now, that may sound strange, when I tell you with tongue-in-cheek the tremendous message it has even to day. Of that I was reminded as I
heard this tune being played again after so many years had gone by. The title, “The Shrimp Boats are a’ Cornin’.” Now, isn’t that just some thing to hold your rapt attention in solemn contemplation? As I listened to that song, I couldn’t but flick off the radio, then singing aloud, as I drove down the freeway, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!” It may have looked strange to those passing by, but it was what was in my heart. Although those words of the hymn are very, very old, yet that Gospel song had a new and living meaning for me that day. You see, we are to sing unto the Lord a new song. We’re to sing it in a new way. The words may be old, to be sure, but the testi mony should be ever new. One reason why we feature music on these pro grams is that we earnestly believe singing is one of the best ways for reverent praise in a testimony of God’s grace. I hope that as the music is heard on this broadcast, your heart not only is lifted, but also, if possible, you can join right in with us in singing along. Why are these songs new? Simply because God’s mercies are new every morning. They’re not something that are made over. You know, I’m afraid many of us are more used to making new complaints than we are singing new songs. It’s relatively easy to find something new to grumble about al most every day. It may be my back, or it may be my neck, or it may be a tired feeling, with signs of a cold coming on. Unfortunately, new com plaints aren’t difficult for me to find. How sad when Scripture says that I am to be looking for the Lord’s mercies which are new every morn ing. Yes, “Sing unto the Lord a new song.” Some years ago an interesting thing happened to a friend of ours. He’s John Peterson, who has written such beautiful Gospel melodies in cluding, “It Took a Miracle,’’ “Com
Mr. Sylvester Marshburn (center). Chairman of the Biola Board of Directors, has the opportunity to confer with Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland (left), Biola President, and Dr. FosterBens, Vice-Chairman of the school's Board.
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