Daily DevotionalsThe song of Moses (Exodus 15:1–19) was both declaration and anticipation: it looked back and forward. Within a few hours of singing this masterpiece of praise, however, the Israelites were murmuring! The question that must be asked then is, how many Israelites sang in the congregation that day with no real feeling or sincerity?

We must ask ourselves the same question. Do we sing with the heart or only with the mouth? Is our singing with an engaged mind, a faithful heart, and earnest desire for the God we praise? Meditate on the words of the hymns we so often sing.

Come, every pious heart,

That loves the Saviour’s Name,

Your noblest powers exert

To celebrate His fame;

Tell all above, and all below;

That debt of love to Him you owe.
 
From the dark grave He rose;

The mansions of the dead,

And thence His mighty foes

In glorious triumph led;

Up through the sky the Conqueror rode;

And reigns on High, the Saviour God.
 
Jesus, we ne’er can pay

The debt we owe Thy love;

Yet tell us how we may

Our gratitude approve;

Our hearts, our all to Thee we give;

The gift, though small, Thou wilt receive.

—Samuel Stennett (1727–1795)