Exposition

A secular song is a song that is composed not for the glorification of God, whereas Christian songs seek to glorify God and His Christ. Psalm 100 has five verses written in twelve lines according to the NKJV. In the lyrics, the psalmist referred to God sixteen times (the LORD, God, His, Him…). This is a classic example of a Christian song. All attention or focus is on God and His dealings with His people.

The song reminds you of who you are and how you should approach such a great God: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (v4). It is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise. A good Christian song should proclaim the saving virtues of God and His Christ, be couched in biblical doctrines, call people to repentance and faith in Jesus, encourage Christians to serve Christ and endure the challenges of living for Christ and to appreciate and exalt God.

Some of these qualities are clear in Psalm 100. Unlike the psalmist, the women during Saul’s regime composed a secular song to eulogise David’s achievement by comparing the effort of King Saul against that of David. In the reading, you will feel the anger of the King. Saul, who was once a gentleman, became so infuriated with the song that his countenance and qualities changed from bad to worse. Some other secular music may propound some philosophies which may be unwholesome for your Christian maturity.

Dearly beloved, you are salt and light; the decaying music industry needs your salt for preservation, while the dark music world needs your light to show the way. If you have the gift of composing songs, then remember not to be influenced by worldly trends but rather lead the way for others to follow.