SHARON ROCKWELL | CONTRIBUTOR

Folk songs tell us stories in musical form. The Smithsonian offers a collection called “Classical Folk Songs for Kids.” The recordings are songs that I remember my parents singing, and now I sing them to my grandchildren (they are all too young to notice I cannot carry a tune!). Who does not remember the words to “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and “Puff the Magic Dragon?”

Hymns tell us stories as well. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” based on Psalm 46, relates the attributes of God and records His mighty deeds. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” tells the story from 1 Samuel 7:12 where, after God gave the Philistines over to the Israelites, Samuel set up a stone called an Ebeneezer to commemorate the spot where “Till now the Lord has helped us.” The hymn hits the hearts of everyone who has ever felt God’s redeeming love.

A Thanksgiving Song

The first song recorded in the Bible is one of thanksgiving (Ex 15:1-21). Moses sang it when the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians and from Pharaoh, with his host of warriors. After the final plague God brought on Pharaoh, the killing of the firstborn of Egypt including even Pharaoh’s own, Pharaoh reacted by finally relenting and letting the Israelites go. The Israelites’ firstborn were protected by the blood of the lambs painted on their doorposts. In anger, Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued the Israelites, intending to slaughter them before reaching the Red Sea. But God made a path through the Red Sea for His people, and when Pharaoh followed, the water surged around him and his chariots, destroying every last one. The Israelites witnessed the great power of the Lord and saw the Egyptians dead on the shore. With that, the Israelites “feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses” (Ex. 14:31).

Moses’ response was to give God the glory and lead the people of Israel in a victory song. The Lord had demonstrated His faithfulness in a grand and glorious manner, saving the people of Israel. Selected verses from Moses’ song can provide a template for our own songs this Thanksgiving. Moses’ song is a song of deliverance, not only for overthrowing the Egyptians, but also for the deliverance of God’s chosen. It is a personal song, “I will sing to the Lord” (Ex. 15:1). And it is a praise song, “He is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him” (Ex. 15:2).

A Template for Thanksgiving

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea” (Ex 15:1).

“The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into depths like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble” (Ex. 15:3-7).

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode” (Ex. 15:11-13).

Moses’ song was one of praise for God’s mighty works, but also a song that has been recorded so that we can teach the lessons of the great power of God to our own hearts, and to our children and grandchildren. Moses’ song reminds us of who God is, that He alone rescues and redeems. We can use these truths as we express our thanksgiving to the Lord for all He has done in our lives this year.

My prayer this Thanksgiving recalls the song of Moses celebrating God’s saving grace for His people.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord, I am thankful that you preserved the history of your chosen people, so that I can know that it was your strength and power alone which conquered their enemies.

Lord, I praise You for your holiness and for your steadfast love of your redeemed people, of which I am one.

Lord, I acknowledge you are my God and King, and your reign will be forever.

Lord, you are my strength in all my circumstances.

Lord, I exalt you and glorify your name.

Lord, I “sing to the Lord for you have triumphed gloriously” (Ex. 15:21).

Lord, this Thanksgiving season, I stand in awe of your majestic deeds. Break down the enemies in my life Lord, as you overthrew the Egyptians to save your redeemed people. Cultivate a joyful heart in me, that I will sing songs of praise to you, Oh God of my salvation.

Photo by Michael Maasen on Unsplash