The song of Moses

Exo 15:1  Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 

The song of Moses is a song of gratitude, joy, and happiness. The song is a description of the power of God as Israel’s defender, as evidenced in the destruction of the Egyptian army and in the deliverance of Israel by means of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1). Having seen the power of God when He parted the Red Sea, Israel finally “feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31).

Almost four hundred years of servitude and now they were free; no wonder they were joyful. Likewise, salvation should produce a heart of celebration in us because we have been set free from our sins. An Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing after his baptism (Acts 8:39). Probably he was singing praises in gratitude to God for His grace and salvation for the rest of his journey: “Is any merry? let him sing psalms” (James 5:13).

The Song of Moses has an unmistakable theme: the exaltation of the God of Israel. This is what praises should be -- glorify God. The focus of our singing session is God and not man. Why on earth do denominations invite professional singers to sing in their services? They were focusing on the singers and not God. They are giving applause to the singers who entertain them; God is missing in their service.

Every song has a message. The Song of Moses serves as a reminder that God had rescued them in the past and would do so again. The singers were reminded that their God was mighty and strong while they were wretched and in need of His mercy: “Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation” (Exodus 15:13). Singing it would have promoted faith and helped to keep them focused on their destination. It serves as a constant reminder and encouragement that God is on their side and they need not fear what men can do to them: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). The song also provides a way to pass along the story of their deliverance to future generations.

What about us? Why do we sing in worship? There are a few reasons:

1. GLORIFY GOD - God deserves our praise. We worship God by singing: “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven” (Psalm 148:13).

2. REMINDER – Songs keep us focus and remind us about God and what He has done for us. The Song of Moses reminded Israel of God delivering them. Some of the hymns remind us of what God and Christ had done for us: “this do in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).

3. GRATITUDE – The song of Moses expresses gratitude. Our songs express our thanksgiving: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).

4. ENCOURAGEMENT - Our songs serve not only to praise and honour God, but also are means of teaching, encouraging, and admonishing one another: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

We see that singing connects us to God and to one another. Let us be like the Psalmist David who loved to sing hymns in praises to God: “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely” (Psalm 147:1).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.