January 23, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Scripture In Song

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Opening Prayer

Mighty God, Creator of the world in which I live, Builder of the church through which I serve, I give You praise.

Read Exodus 15:1-18

[1] Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. [2] The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. [3] The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. [4] Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. [5] The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. [6] “Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. [7] In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. [8] By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. [9] “The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ [10] But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. [11] “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? [12] You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. [13] “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. [14] The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. [15] The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; [16] terror and dread will fall upon them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone- until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought pass by. [17] You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance- the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. [18] The LORD will reign for ever and ever.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Reflect

Imagine this passage as a song. How does it sound as a song of praise? Can you perhaps sing it to a triumphant hymn tune?

Music is powerfully able to express emotions, set a mood, and give extra meaning to the words! The Bible is full of songs, expressing praise (Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9), joy (Jas. 5:13), thanksgiving (Psa. 92:1-3), sorrow for sin (Isa. 16:10), prayer (1 Cor. 14:15) and general teaching (Col. 3:16). Songs occur at key points in Scripture, such as Deborah’s song of victory (Judges 5), Hannah’s song of thanksgiving (1 Sam. 2:1-10), David’s lament over his sin (Psa. 51) and Mary’s song of acceptance of the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:46-55).

Today’s passage is known as “The Song” (HaShirah) in Jewish tradition. It was sung every Sabbath in the Temple, and is now sung daily in synagogue. Why? It celebrates the greatest Old Testament act of God’s redemption, the Exodus, in a spontaneous, lyrical outpouring of praise and worship. The song is in five parts. It begins by celebrating what God has done in the immediate past by defeating the Egyptians (1-10). It affirms who God is–incomparable, loving, powerful and holy (11-13). It considers the impact of the victory on other nations (14-16). Finally, it looks to the future when God will fulfill his promise to bring the Israelites into the land of Canaan (17,18).

The song echoes some of the great themes of the Bible, not in a systematic way or as a story, but in a song to be sung with energy, musicality and expression. God’s power over the natural world (11,12), his activity in history (1-5), his judgment on his enemies (6-10), his mercy on those who do not deserve it (13,16,17), are all wrapped up in a great hymn and a clarion call to worship.

Apply

Write (and sing, if you will!) your own song of thanksgiving, praise and wonder for what God has done for you.

Closing prayer

Lord, as Scripture says, I want to, “…sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in [my] heart to God…” (Col. 3:16). I bless Your name.

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