Music is a universal human joy. Humanity has used its fingers and voices since the beginning of time to make beautiful melodies. The first song that we have recorded in the Bible is found in Exodus 15. God had just provided the nation of Israel with escape from a huge army of Egyptians. The king of Egypt had allowed the people of Israel to leave his land but then changed his mind. He sent chariots and soldiers after them to return them to Egypt. The Red Sea was the last barrier that separated the Israelites from freedom. God divided the waters and allowed His people to walk through on dry ground. Shortly after that He destroyed the pursuing army.
When Moses and the rest of the people discovered their deliverance, they began to sing. They “saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31). Their song was based on that fear and belief.
“I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. The LORD will reign forever and ever.”