Remember the 1972 song Drift Away? The lyrics talk about a world that is so unkind and how the singer is confused each day. “Yet I look for the light through the pouring rain.” he sings, “I’m counting on you to pull me through…Thanks for the joy that you’ve given me. I want you to know I believe in your song. Give me the beat boys and free my soul. I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away.” Drift Away has some interesting allusions to a higher power. We know that the higher power is not rock and roll, unless the Rock is Christ. Isn’t it interesting how easily we can remember lyrics? Songs, or “shirim” in Hebrew, are a way to commit important prose to memory. Music and song can align us spiritually with the LORD.
There is something so spiritually profound about music that it lifts us up, inspires us, and motivates us. Songs of the Bible teach us about Israel’s history and God’s ultimate plan. The Jewish sages have counted ten songs in scripture that are key to Israel’s history: 1) the song of the Israelites in Egypt (Isaiah 30:29), 2) the Song of the Sea (Exodus15), 3) the song at the well (Numbers 21:17-18), 4) Ha’azinu, Moses’ song before his death, 5) Joshua sang a song (Joshua 10:12-13), 6) Deborah”s song (Judges 5), 7) Hannah”s song (1 Samuel 2), 8) David’s song (2 Samuel 22), 9) The Song of Solomon, and the tenth song hasn’t been sung yet, it is the song of the Messiah. Messianic believers know that song to be the Song of the Lamb (Revelation 5).
Deuteronomy 32 contains the prophetic song Moses was instructed to teach to the Israelites in which their history is recounted, and their future foretold. The oracle begins in verse 32:3 with Moses proclaiming the name of ADONAI, “come declare the greatness of our God! The Rock! His work is perfect!” He reminds the people of all the good God had done for them. “Rock” is a metaphor for God’s strength and permanence. Instead of thanking God for His provision and protection, Moses prophesied that the people would “grow fat” and turn from the LORD to false gods, or non-gods. This would cause God’s anger to flare up, and eventually end up with Israel’s enemies defeating them and exile from the land.
In the end, God would vindicate His justice and mercy before heaven and earth by delivering Israel from her enemies, and atoning for her sins. The song ends with: “Sing out you nations, about his people! For he will avenge the blood of his servants. He will render vengeance to his adversaries and make atonement for the land of his people (32:43).” Then Moses told all the people to teach these words to their children, and all of the Torah because, “it is your life! (32:47b).” When we think about the days associated with some of the old songs that we like, we, like the Israelites, may have drifted away in our lives from time to time, but the Rock of Christ frees our soul and gives us joy. Christ is our salvation. He is our life!
