Notes on the Songs of Praise in the Old Testament

From: Present Testimony: Volume 6, 1854

• 6 min. read • grade level: 4

There are found in the Old Testament seven songs which may be studied for the profit and comfort of our souls,

Ex. 15 is a song of triumph. 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."

Our souls, in the position in which we stand as one with Christ, ought to know the full meaning of this song. We ought to triumph like Israel at the -Red Sea; our enemies dead, all conquered by Jesus; ourselves brought out of Egypt; and though still we have conflict, yet we ought to realize that we have victory in Christ; we are dead and risen in Him; the Cross has vanquished all our enemies.

God brought Israel into this place in the wilderness, and there were no murmurings then. We are brought into the wilderness to glorify God. Each may have sorrows and trials, and why is this? That God may meet us in every circumstance, and that we may triumph in God. Remember these things, "are written for our admonition on whom the ends of the world are come." If God gave Israel such a redemption as we find in the close of chap. 14:29, 30. What cannot we do? We can do all things; the Cross shows this. Expect all help from God in every varied circumstance, and there will be no depression of soul then. If in affliction, trial, poverty, sickness, etc., the heart turns away from God, we fail; and then real sorrow comes in; but if God is there, we have no trouble, for He triumphs over all our enemies.

We find the second song in Num. 21:16,17¹⁶And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. ¹⁷Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: (Numbers 21:16‑17), " And from thence they went to Beer; that is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well, sing ye unto it."

Our well is Jesus, " in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3³In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3)).

The Lord spake to Moses of this well, and he gathered the people together; they counted on the water bubbling up, and they sang. Israel needed another song in the wilderness, and a well in a land of drought; it springs up and draws out praise. The Lord tries the heart; is it Jesus who is looked to, or are you trusting to anything else? This is a most simple song. Let each ask, am I gathering to the well? a well of living water springing up to everlasting life! As you sing praises, it will bubble up.

The third song is in Deut. 32, Moses spake this song to all the congregation of Israel, "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, 0-earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain," etc., and why? "Because I will publish the name of the Lord." Here we have a song of triumph, on the ground of what GOD is, and not on what we are (vers. 1-4). " He is the rock" and " His work is perfect;'' but then see ver. 5, " They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of His children," etc. Man is corrupt, but in God we triumph.

The fourth song is seen in Judg. 5, Deborah's song of praise to the Lord for avenging Israel.

Vers. 1, 2, present victory. We ought to be present victors; we each have our enemies; and we ought to come together as victors over them. The Lord hath avenged us. But do we do so? Alas! we often fall before them; the flesh, the world, Satan, are not under our feet. Can we say with Deborah, in ver. 21, "O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength?" We ought practically to feel this constant struggle and constant triumph; that the flesh has been subdued, the world overcome, and Satan trampled under our feet. So many mouths are shut because there is no conquest in God's strength.

The fifth song is found in 1 Sam. 2. Hannah's triumph in God because He brought life out of death-resurrection. In the first chapter she is mourning over her barrenness-God gave her a child-life out of death-" The barren hath borne seven"-" The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich-He bringeth low and lifteth up-He raiseth up the poor out of the dust to set them among princes" (vers. 5-8). The song in Ex. 15 places us in the wilderness-here we are lifted into resurrection-taken from the wilderness, " to make them inherit the throne of glory."

Each song brings out a new character of praise. May you thus rejoice and get near to God each for yourselves. This is a day of abounding evil; each must live with God, and walk in integrity of heart bearing fruit to His glory.

The sixth song is in 2 Sam. 22, David's closing scene. He had sinned, but he had gone back to God. His deep affliction was the result of his sin, and not merely on account of Saul. God delivered him from all his enemies. Have you declined from God? He is a God of grace-go back to Him, and He will give you victory over all your enemies. This song connects with the latter days-a song of hope. This is a song for us.

The seventh song is emphatically called " the Song of Songs, which is Solomon's." This is the most precious of all, because it speaks of nothing but love; the others of judgment, deliverance, victory, and triumph; but here it is pure perfect love; and it is not merely the beauty of the Bridegroom that is seen, but also of His Bride, He looks on her with eyes of love, all fair, no spot.

If we took God's estimate of the church, as seen in His Son and one with Him, would not that make the heart rejoice? If we could only see His delight in us, then we should be able to go forth in the spirit of this song.

E.F.

Church of God.! as faithful watchmen.

Let our beacons broadly blaze;

Sure of conquest with, our Captain,

On our foes we'll fearless gaze.

Present victors-present victors!

Shouts of triumph let us raise.

O may we, as faithful brethren,

Mourn the wide-spread ruin round;

Sigh o'er all our sad condition,

While we still maintain our ground.

Present victors-present victors!