Therefore write down this song for yourselves and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the Israelites. - Deuteronomy 31:19
Music was very important to ancient Israel. In fact, music has been an important part of almost every culture on earth. God must think music is important, too.
In order for the people of Israel to remember His commandments and their responsibility before Him, God had Moses write a song that both he and Joshua were to teach to everyone else. The Lord told Moses that once the Israelites entered the Promised Land, defeated the Canaanites, and began to experience peaceful comfort, they would turn to paganism and idolatry. To counter this future apostasy God gave Moses a song that was to be learned and sung, reminding Israel of all God had done for them. This song was to serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty over their lives and a witness for God against the people. You might even call it an Israeli "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
We love our music in church today. In fact, we love it so much that we sometimes fight about it. We want our music to make us feel better and when it doesn't, we sometimes get upset. I wonder how much of our music leads us to greater obedience. How much leads us to greater faithfulness and usefulness in the Lord’s service?
Look, there is nothing wrong with feeling "better," but it seems to me that in all our singing it would be good if our singing led us to greater obedience to Christ. What should our “anthem” be in light of our current spiritual climate and culture? "How Great Thou Art?" "Amazing Grace?" "Get Up Off That Thing" by James Brown? Unfortunately, as with Israel, many of the songs we sing are simple indictments against the lives we lead.
Songs can be great reminders of joyous times. Often pleasant memories are revived by a familiar refrain. What song will keep you faithful? What song will remind us to stay the course? Perhaps such a song has not yet been written, but whether we write it or not, we must keep singing to Him.
It is not sufficient to offer the empty vessel of our joy unto God, or our singing voice in musical tune only; but also it is required that we fill our joyful voice with holy matter and good purpose, whereby God only may be reasonably praised. - David Dickson
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