Today's post,and maybe tomorrow's, will discuss the meaning of the word "new". It is my contention that if one is going to use the word "new" in developing a music philosophy, then one should posses an understanding of what "new" means when it is used in conjunction with song in the Bible. If one fails to do this, then there is a real possibility one's music philosophy and, ipso facto one's praxis, will be faulty.
In the OT the Hebrew word chadash 2319 [pronounced khaw-dash'] which is taken very closely from chadash 2318 [pronounced khaw-dawsh]. The Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament pp. 394-397 discusses these two words together. "The song called for here is not "new" because a new text is to replace the old, or a new melody the old; this notion is thoroughly foreign to these psalms. This song is "new" because God has brought about something new, and this song is to respond to this new act of God; this new act of God is to resound in the new song."( p. 397)
So, although there is the question as to the fact that 2319 is always used in conjunction with these OT references to new song instead of 2318, it is believed by some, me included, that these references do not connote something new or novel but rather a song of renovated character as a response to as a response to an act of God wrought upon the heart of the musician.
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