And They Sang a New Song; Part I “The Revelation Song”

I can scarcely get this devotion out of my head and onto paper. When I think about which song “moves” me to whole-hearted praise at this time in my life, I would have to say the “Revelation Song” by Kari Jobe. What is it in that song that makes me long to stand to my feet and raise my hands to the heavens? I get chill bumps, a lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes every time I hear it!

Take a look at the first verse:
Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

You can certainly see why it is called the “Revelation” song. These words are from Revelation 5:9, “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people nation.’”

Wow! Can we just unpack this for two seconds and appreciate the power in these words. This verse describes the scene as the Lamb of God (Jesus) steps forward as the only one worthy in heaven to open “the book”. John records how all of the creatures and the elders fell down before the Lamb (Rev. 5:8) and began singing a new song! Nothing else would do at this point. Any doxology they had ever sung before must have seemed utterly inadequate for this One who purchased our redemption with His own blood. This makes me wonder what my “new song” will sound like. I am sure when I someday see the Lamb of God, there will be fresh thoughts of praise on my lips – thoughts that I have never even conceived!

Don’t miss the significance of the “mercy seat” reference. The Ark of the Covenant was covered by a lid flanked by gold-covered cherubim (angels) called the mercy seat (hilasterion or atonement cover). This is where the blood was sprinkled by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement each year. This is also the place where the Shekinah glory cloud would descend to represent God’s presence. Think back to the picture that we see in John 20:12 at the tomb of Jesus – Mary saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus [God’s glory wrapped in human flesh] had been lying. Is this a perfect picture of the mercy seat or what? Christ became the mercy seat for all of us by the shedding of His perfectly sinless blood. This should bring us face down in praise and worship as it did here in the book of Revelation.

The next time you hear this song during our worship service, just give up your whole-hearted praise as a sacrifice to LORD Sabaoth – The LORD of Host! There is intrinsic power in scripture. Turn that intrinsic power into a song of praise and watch out! Holy, Holy, Holy…♫

I thought I could explain the scriptural basis of this song in only one devotional. Boy was I wrong! Part II is coming next week. Enjoy this song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FObjd5wrgZ8.