Psallos – The New

Tennessee-based band Psallos is a collection of musicians whose goal is to “create artistically excellent and theologically rich music” that “remind you of the truths of Scripture; harmonies, rhythms, and timbres that express the emotional weight of these truths” (source: psallos.com).  In addition to Romans, Hebrews, and Jude, Psallos released two other projects in the wild:

• Slave Songs (2012)
• Church Songs, Vol. 1 (2016)

They intend to release an album after each of the 21 epistles that are a major part of the New Testament.

The Old and The New are a two-song set that contrasts the old and new covenants to each other.  This review is for The New.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Coming off the heels of The Old, which ended with a declaration that the blood of animals cannot save us, this song focuses on Jesus.  Psallos uses Hebrews 9:11-28 and Hebrews 10:1-18 as a basis for this entire song.

Christ is the eternal High Priest, who ushers in a new and better covenant based on an older and better promise to Abraham compared to the Mosaic Covenant. It is through Christ’s shed blood that brings about the removal of sins, a restored relationship with the Father, and a mended heart that lives for Him. This sacrifice is offered once and for all, finding no other source that could remove our transgressions.

The Old ended with a rewording of Robert Lowry’s classic hymn What Can Wash Away My Sin.  Stanzas 5-7 contains the original lyrics in their full glory, contrasting it with the altered lyrics in Psallos’ previous tune.

The New ends by hearkening back to lyrics in The Old. It is a subtle reminder that the old covenant has gone and the new has come, showing reverence for the Old Testament and gratitude that we have Jesus.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Everything in this song lines up with God’s inspired Word.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

Since this song does not follow a Verse/Chorus/Bridge format, I assigned stanzas to each paragraph.

[Stanza 1]

When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,

Christ is the perpetual High Priest within the new covenant, replacing the Old Testament concept of high priest discussed in The Old (Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 5:5-6, Hebrews 7:17, Hebrews 8:1-2, and Hebrews 9:11).

Then through the new, the greater, more perfect plea, through the blood of the Son,
The Father’s wrath was quenched at last. Forgiveness was won!

Christ is the propitiation for our sins, bearing the Father’s wrath on our behalf and making forgiveness of sins possible (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).

This new and superior covenant is based on an older and better promise to Abraham: Through His seed, all the nations will be blessed (Genesis 22:18, Hebrews 6:13-16, and Hebrews 8:6).

[Stanza 2]

Once for all the Son of God has offered up His life.
Once for all, the Lamb was slain, the Final Sacrifice.
And once for all, for all who once were dead, but are now alive.
Once for all.

The shed blood of Jesus, known also as the Lamb that was slain (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, John 1:36, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:12, and Revelation 13:8) sanctifies us once and for all (Hebrews 10:10).  We were once dead in our sins but are now alive in Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

[Stanza 3]

Once for all the Son of God has offered up His life.
Once for all, the Lamb was slain, the Final Sacrifice.
And once for all, for all who once were dead, but are now alive.

Repeats stanza 2, lines 1-3.

Once for all, for all who walk by faith and stand in Christ.

Repeats idea in Stanza 2, line 3.  It also references 2 Corinthians 5:7, those who walk by faith and not by sight.

[Stanza 4]

Once for all.

Repeats Stanza 2, line 4.

[Stanza 5]

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

The only way to the Father is through Jesus (John 14:6).  It is through His shed blood that our sin-stained relationship with God can find restoration (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).

[Stanza 6]

O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow!

Combined with commentary in Stanza 5, it is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us white as snow (Psalm 51:7 and Isaiah 1:18).

No other fount I know! Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Repeats idea in Stanza 5, line 1.

[Stanza 7]

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Repeats Stanza 5, line 1b.

[Stanza 8]

If you look back, Jack, to the tabernacle
With a deep respect, I think you’ll be thankful
That the old is gone and the new has taken its place.

Repeated from Psallos’ song The Old.  See Stanzas 3 and 4 from that review.

[Stanza 9]

It was a glorious space that holy tent
For that come-but-stay-away covenant,
But the new’s been sent and the old has passed away.
That the old is gone and the new has taken its place.

Repeated from Psallos’ song The Old.  See Stanzas 3 and 4 from that review.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

It is thick with Christianese, making it difficult for non-Christians to follow some of its more nuanced theology.  For example, Christ as High Priest, old and new covenants, and the tabernacle.  It is also replete with references to Jesus, His shed blood, and forgiveness for sins, cementing it as a uniquely Christian song and easing interpretation into Psallos main idea: Christ offers forgiveness of sins through His shed blood.

Score: 7/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God through its celebration of Christ, who takes away our sins through His sacrifice.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Psallos’ The New is a worthy successor to The Old. It accurately describes Christ Jesus as our everlasting High Priest whose previous flow is the only means to salvation. This restores our relationship with the Father, bringing Him glory. Most unbelievers will comprehend the basic message; However, the deeper truths of high priest, covenants, and tabernacle require deep study that will likely sail over their heads.

Aside from its ending, The New might be a great worship song for churches, especially congregations that can handle deep theology.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: The New (listen to the song [Spotify]) (listen to the song [Apple Music]) (listen to the song [Youtube])

Artist: Psallos

Album: Hebrews (buy the album)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Pop

Release Year: 2017

Duration: 5:32

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*Copyright © 2017 Cody Curtis Music. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.