Introduction
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. Dt 31:19
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Dt 31:21
In the twenty-two chapters of the book of Revelation, songs were sung by heavenly beings as well as earthly creatures- man, beasts, sea creatures, trees, indeed all creation, of the glory, majesty and power of God, the eternal King. His power and attributes are also clearly revealed in these songs.
What do songs mean? Whether songs are organized poetically, sequentially and melodically or not, they are expressions of the heart in whatever state or condition. Songs express deep seated feelings and thoughts of the heart and therefore go with moods. Sometimes I find myself singing (humming actually) while eating! My wife says, it is a sign that I am enjoying the food. When do you sing? What do you sing about? Your songs, many times, reflect what you are going through- joy or happiness and sorrow, love and affection, rejection, loneliness etc. One can therefore have a peep into the inner state of another person by the songs they sing- if they ever do.
The text in Deuteronomy show the significance of songs:
- They are written down
- They are taught
- They are made to be sung
- They become witnesses to the people
- They testify against the people when they stray from the ideals
- They are not easily forgotten
Revelation songs are quite the same. They were written down but were originally sung. They had sounds and accompaniments of instruments in some cases, but a cappella at other times. They were spontaneous and not studio recorded or pre-planned. There were no choir leaders, maestro (orchestra leader/conductor) or concert master, yet they were sung in perfect unison.
Let us dive into Revelation Songs as we pray that we may also experience the glorious depths from which these songs sprang up. We shall distinguish between ‘sayings’ and actual songs. While many songs were ‘sayings’- saying something to us, not all ‘sayings’ were songs. Note also that there are age-long songs that are from the book of Revelation but were not songs but ‘sayings’ e.g Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty Rev 4:8 and Thou art worthy… to receive glory, honour and power… Rev 4:11. These two songs have blessed God in worship and our hearts too, but they are not Revelation Songs.