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“Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel.” Deuteronomy 31.19
Moses was about to die and the people of Israel would have to make do without him. What should he do in order to provide continuity for them? First, write down all the words of the Law. Second, anoint Joshua to carry on as leader. Third, teach the people a song.
Teach them a song? Precisely. The song that Moses composed – which apparently was to be learned by heart and frequently sung – put the focus on God and His goodness to the people, and warned them against giving in to their foolish, sinful inclinations.
It is very interesting to read Deuteronomy 32, the song of Moses, with the Book of Psalms in mind. Many of the themes David and the other psalmists enlarged on are expressed in kernel form in this song. To this day the saints in heaven sing the song of Moses, joined now with the song of the Lamb, as an expression of their joy and a witness and warning to saints still slogging through their journey on earth (Rev. 15.3, 4).
How important is the discipline of singing to the Lord? There are no commands in Scripture to listen to spiritual music. But commands to sing to the Lord abound. Singing to the Lord is one indication or our being filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5.18-21). Apparently, it pleases the Spirit to inhabit places where the praises of God are being sung.
Singing is a way of bringing all the active spiritual disciplines together. By singing to the Lord we may hear and recite His Word, reinforcing its place in our hearts and minds. By singing we make an offering to Lord. We join together and come in the Lord’s presence to celebrate Him and to encourage one another. Singing reminds us throughout the day of who we are and what God has called us to in His Covenant. We neglect singing as a vital, active spiritual discipline to our own detriment. Singing was Moses’ final legacy to the people of Israel.
Is it a legacy we are leaving to our own children?
OK, here’s another invitation for you to order your copy of The Ailbe Psalter so that you can sing the Lord’s own songs back to Him – all 150 of them to the melodies of traditional hymns. If you’d like a preview, write to T. M. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and he’ll send you a Psalter Psampler which you can print and practice singing to the Lord.