“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty;
just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”
(Revelation 15:3)
In Revelation 15, John beholds a congregation of saints standing beside a sea of glass mingled with fire, each bearing a harp given by God. Using these instruments of praise they sing an anthem both ancient and new: the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.
The Church triumphant, gathered from every nation, will lift one voice to praise the power, justice, and majesty of God who saved them. The Apostle John gives us this glimpse of that glorious choir in order to stir the hearts of believers now to worship the same God with the same song—though now sung in faith, not yet in sight.
The song of Moses, originally sung in Exodus 15, was Israel’s national hymn of thanksgiving after their deliverance from Egypt. God had crushed Pharaoh in the Red Sea, rescuing His people by a mighty hand. Moses led the people in rejoicing, “The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.” This was praise rooted in divine deliverance, proclaiming God’s power, faithfulness, and absolute sovereignty.[1]
The song of the Lamb resounds with that same melody, but on a higher key. It is the anthem of those redeemed from the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death; not merely from Egypt, but from judgment itself. These saints overcame the beast, not by sword or chariot, but by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Their praise declares not only God’s strength, but His mercy; not only His wrath upon His enemies, but His love for His elect.
Both songs declare the same truths: “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” In both songs, the people of God confess that every act of deliverance is God’s own doing, every righteous judgment His sovereign decree, and every mercy His free grace.
One day, every voice redeemed by Christ will join this chorus. No one will stand mute. Every tongue will be loosed, every heart will swell with gratitude, and the voice of the individual saint will not be lost in the multitude. It will blend and beautify the harmony. Thankfulness perfected, faith turned to sight, grace crowned with glory. That’s what each voice will sound forth … and the praise will be pure, full-throated joy from each saint to their King.
Contemplations:
- The song of heaven. What a most excellent thing that the song Your people sing in heaven is the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb at the same time!
- The song of Moses. It is good for me to remember Moses and his song for in it I see the faith of the patriarchs, the hope of the prophets, the labors of the apostles, the truth of the evangelists, the blood of the martyrs, the zeal of the confessors … and I give You glory for all Your work through Christ Jesus.
- To God be the glory. God of my fathers, to You I give praise because You have granted me wisdom and courage in great measure and have wonderfully opened my eyes that I may see and know more of You through Your Word.
Prayer (thanksgiving):
Lord God Almighty, just and true are Your ways, O King of saints. With reverence I come before You, full of thanks for the song You have given me to sing—the song of the Lamb, the anthem of blood-bought deliverance.
I bless You for Moses’ song, that ancient melody of triumph that rings through redemptive history. I bless You for the Lamb’s song, that new covenant hymn of mercy, sung by those whom You have redeemed out of every nation and tongue. You have made me part of this choir by Your sovereign grace.
I thank You that You have not only delivered me from the bondage of sin, but have promised to perfect my praise. A day is coming when I shall stand upon the glassy sea, harp in hand, and sing as I ought. Until then, let me lift up my voice in faith.
May my praise rise from a clean heart, may it be shaped by Your Word, and may it always exalt the greatness of Your works for You have done marvelous things. You have saved my soul. You have written my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. And You shall bring me home.
Let gratitude fill my life even now. Let every word and deed echo this heavenly song. And when I grow faint, remind me of the harps that await and the choir of saints who will never grow weary of praising You, for You alone are worthy.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
Psalm 145:17; Deuteronomy 32:4; Revelation 5:9; Deuteronomy 31:30
[1] John Cotton, Singing of Psalms a Gospel-Ordinance, (London: Printed for J.R. … and H.A. .., 1650), 27.
