Daily Devotional

“They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvellous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’ ” (Revelation 15:3). 

Why do people stand during the “Hallelujah” chorus of Handel’s Messiah? Folklore tells how King George II was so moved by this section of the sacred oratorio that he stood to his feet. Of course, everyone in attendance wouldn’t sit while the king stood. But the story is legend. It is unlikely the king was even in attendance at the 1742 premier in Dublin. 

George Frederic Handel was born in Germany in 1685 but became a naturalized British subject in 1727 and spent the bulk of his composing career in London. When Handel’s Messiah debuted, many thought it was blasphemous to mix opera and oratorio and perform in the same theatre where secular subjects were presented. Yet it has since been performed every year across the globe, making it the most oft performed and widely played piece of music in history. 

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Moses composed a beautiful hymn of praise after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. The song of Moses, found in Exodus 15, is one of the oldest examples of Hebrew poetry. It exalts God and His mighty deliverance from their enemies. “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (verse 11). Together the children of Israel raised their glad voices until the sound must have reverberated off the mountains. 

Someday we will stand on a sea of glass before our King and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Just as the Israelites rejoiced over the judgments of God against their enemies, we too will praise the Lord and sing, “For Your judgments have been manifested” (Revelation 15:4). 

If you listen to the “Hallelujah” chorus, you can hear echoes of the song of Moses: “The Lord shall reign forever and ever” (Exodus 15:18). 

Lord, You are my strength and song. You are my salvation. I will praise and exalt Your name forever.