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 expressions of their joy and a witness and admonition to saints still slogging through their journey on earth (Rev. 15.3, 4).

How important is the discipline of singingto the Lord? There are no commands in Scripture to listento 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 remember the Lord and instruct our neighbors. Singing is a way of making 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?

T. M. Moore

The book of Ecclesiastes is a crucial resource for understanding the Biblical worldview against the backdrop of our secular age. Follow T. M.’s studies in Ecclesiastes by downloading the free, weekly studies available in our Scriptorium Resources page at The Fellowship of Ailbe. Click hereto see the weekly studies available thus far.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.