The Songs Of Isaiah part 1

When you read through the Old Testament prophets you’ll find many of  their prophecies were actually in songs.  In Isaiah only a couple of the chapters tell us that they are songs but if you look at the characteristics of Biblical songs you realize that many of the prophecies were written as songs.
In modern songs we consider rhyme very important.  In Biblical times they considered metaphors and parallels very important.  A parallel is recognized as two statements that add to each other or contrast each other.

Psalm 145:3 is a good example of a parallel statements that build on each other.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

  A modern song that uses good parallelism is Bill Gaither’s song, Let Freedom Ring.
Let Freedom Ring (Let Freedom Ring Version)

Isaiah 5 is the first chapter in the book that is labeled as a song.

 vs 1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

Basically it was a song about someone who had a vineyard and did everything right to take care of it and protect it.  Yet in spite of all his efforts the vines only grew bad grapes.  God was telling His people that even though He had done every thing to save and protect them they still insisted on doing wrong.

Isaiah 5:7

For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. 

He begins to pronounce woes on the people who insist on doing wrong.

 ¹¹Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 

¹⁸ Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of vanity,
      And sin as if with a cart rope; 

 ²⁰Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

 ²¹Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

 ²²Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

 ²³Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

We can see from scripture that the main purpose of music is to worship God.  Yet here is a song of warning and exhortation.      Sometimes our songs need to speak to one another.
Ephesians 5:19

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 

Sometimes our songs need to teach and admonish one another.
Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Isaiah 5 is a clear warning to the people of God.  We cannot live wickedly.  We must let God’s grace cultivate spiritual fruit in our lives.  We cannot let grace be an excuse for sin.  Rom 6  The message of this song is clear.

Let me give this challenge to singers, songwriters and musicians.  Pray that when you write, play or sing that God will give you the song that is most needed for those who will hear it.  Don’t be afraid or lose faith if at times the exhortation of a song seems harsh.

I remember one time when I was asked to sing a song in church I chose a song called The Refiners Fire.  It’s an older Steve Green song.
Refiner's Fire, TheRefiner's Fire, The
Conviction came over the church and it led to a time of deep prayer and heart searching.   The message may have been hard but the results were glorious.  You will see that is the case in the next song of Isaiah we use in our devotion.  Isaiah 12 is a song of mercy.    Be encouraged


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