"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord" (Zechariah 2:10).

There are many references to singing in the Bible, and it seems significant that this is the final such reference in the Old Testament. Appropriately the final such reference in the New Testament also tells of a coming song of rejoicing and giving glory to God. "And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints" (Revelation 15:3).

Significantly, the very first mention of singing in the entire Bible has to do with this very song of Moses. "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously. . ." (Exodus 15:1). Even before this great song (though not listed first in the canon of Scripture) was the song of the angels as God created the earth, "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7).

Surprisingly, but also very significantly, the first New Testament reference to singing was in the upper room as Christ and the eleven disciples were going out into the night of His betrayal. "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives" (Matthew 26:30).

Thus the many Bible references are bounded, fore and aft as it were, by spiritual specifications. In fact, this is true of almost all Biblical references to songs and singing, praising the Lord and His wonderful works. Even God Himself in a wonderful day that is coming will be singing! "The Lord thy God [no doubt, the risen Christ] in the midst of thee is mighty . . . He will joy over thee with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). HMM