Worship That’s Worth It: A Psalm 96 Framework for Worship Leaders (More Than a Setlist — Singing a New Song in a Culture of Repeats - Part 1)
Four theologically rooted reflections to help you lead Sundays with deeper affection, greater awe, and a vision that stretches beyond the stage.
What if Sunday’s song was shaped by what God did in you on Wednesday?
Psalm 96 opens with a bold and beautiful command:
“Sing to the Lord a new song.” (v.1)
This isn’t about novelty. It’s not about finding the freshest bridge or the latest new worship song release. It can be that - it can be a brand new song that you have never led or sung before. But also - biblically - a "new song" arises when God's people encounter fresh mercy and respond with renewed praise. In other words, the newness isn’t in the lyrics—it’s in the heart.
We don’t worship a tired or distant God. We worship a God who continues to show Himself faithful, who surprises us with grace, who meets us in our weakness with strength. And if our worship is honest, it should sound like people who’ve been changed recently - not just people who are nostalgic about the past.
The Psalms are filled with exhortations to sing a new song (Psalm 33, 40, 98, 144, and 149), and every time it's a response to God's salvation, deliverance, or character. The "newness" refers to a heart freshly aware of God's reality—His work in your life this week, not just your theology from last year.
Psalm 96 invites us into that rhythm. Verse 2 continues:
"Bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day."
This is ongoing testimony. It's active remembrance. It's a life that keeps noticing and proclaiming what God has done. That’s the soil where a new song grows.
Worship That Feels Like Testimony
King David didn’t pen this from an ivory tower. He knew danger. He knew regret. He knew deliverance. He knew the soul-level shift that happens when God rescues and restores. When he said to bless God's name and tell of His salvation, he was calling us (including worship leaders) to sing from the scars and not just the setlist.
And that’s what congregations resonate with. Not just beautiful voices. But broken people who know they’ve been rescued. We need leaders who worship with weathered faith, not polished performance. People don’t need hype - they need hope.
We sing not because we are flawless, but because we are found. And every time we gather, we have a fresh opportunity to offer a song that bears witness to grace.
The Cost of Singing Empty Songs
When we forget to tell of His salvation "day to day," our worship loses weight. Our setlists become museum pieces rather than living altars. And over time, we subtly begin leading from obligation rather than revelation.
This can happen even in the midst of technical excellence. You might have the best lighting, flawless transitions, and a pristine in-ear mix—but if the heart is stale, the song will be too. Psalm 96 won’t let us settle for that.
The glory of God deserves to be proclaimed by people who are gripped by it.
Practical Application:
Before you build your setlist, ask: "What has God done in me and in our church this week that would shape what we choose to sing?"
Take five minutes before rehearsal to personally reflect or journal on God’s goodness this week.
Share a brief story or prayer before leading—modeling what it looks like to respond to fresh mercy.
Ask your team: What’s your "new song" this week? What are you thanking God for?
*Want to help your team rediscover the heart of worship? I help worship leaders reignite gospel wonder that fuels Sunday mornings. Reach out and I’d love to connect.