“Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.” -Psalm 33:1–3
David opens this psalm with a call to praise because praise is the appropriate response of God’s people—it befits the upright—for all the benefits he renders to us. Included in this call is the criteria for such praise to God, and it is beautifully instructive.
First, proper praise belongs to the righteous, those who are upright before the Lord. It reminds us that God is interested in the condition of our hearts, not just the quality of our music and singing. Said another way, we ought be wary of lying when we sing.
Second, proper praise includes lifting up our voices. The word shout here implies a spirit of joyful triumph whereby one cries out or rejoices loudly, usually in song. This reminds us not to be wallflowers during congregational singing, but eager participants in the singing as much as any other part of the service’s liturgy.
Third, proper praise is oriented toward thanksgiving. In his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians (5:19 and 3:16, respectively), the apostle Paul exhorts the church to teach and admonish one another by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (literally, spirit-filled odes). This taxonomy of singing keeps us oriented toward such a spirit of thanksgiving as David instructs. While there is more to the Christian’s musical arsenal than the Psalms, it is the principle model for God’s people and should guide our corporate song selections.
Fourth, contrary to the dogma of some Christian traditions, musical instruments are a fundamental part of corporate praise—both for OT saints and NT saints. At the very least, one cannot biblically refute the use of stringed instruments for praising God. Instruments imitate the cosmos by creating music, a gift from God that is proper and fitting for our worship.
Fifth, and finally, the idea of singing a new song, and playing skillfully, reminds us that we are, as J. R. R. Tolkien reminded us, sub-creators in this world God created. Proper praise includes fresh songs skillfully played be added to our repertoire of music regularly. This should inspire us to learn to sing various parts (i.e., melody, harmony, etc.) and sing them well. It should inspire us to write songs. And it should inspire instrument players in corporate worship to strive to be skilled musicians.
Even if we are not in a corporate setting, we can lift up our voices in praise and thanksgiving to God at all times.