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(Revelation 15:2–4) |
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(v. 2) I saw...those who had been victorious over the beast...standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.
(v. 3) And they sang the song of Moses the bond-servant of God
(v. 4) "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?
In verse 3 the translation question is: What does "song of" mean? In Greek the genitive "of" could mean one of two things here. (1) A genitive of possession would mean it is Moses' song and the Lamb's song; that is, songs that they sing. (2) An objective genitive would mean the song is about Moses or about the Lamb—or for Moses and the Lamb. Which genitive is used in verse 3a? The "song" [Grk, ode] answers the question. Phrases from several passages in the Hebrew Bible are echoed in this song (see note at end). Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32 are of major influence. Both contain songs once sung by Moses himself on auspicious occasions: Exod 15:1 — Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD.[The Hebrew word "song" in these two verses is shirah. In the Septuagint the Greek word is ode in both places, which is used in Rev 15:3.] [Top] In this table, compare Moses's song in Exodus 15 and Moses's and the Lamb's song in Revelation 15.
[Table from: John Phillips, Exploring Revelation, 1991] [Top] Two times in the Hebrew Bible, Moses sang praise to God. Once, as he and the children of Israel stood on the far side of the Red Sea (Exod 15). The other, as he commissioned the next generation of Israel to enter the land of promise (Deut 32). Both times, Moses praised God for His works on behalf of His people. These two songs are about God; they are not about Moses. Can we conclude that the phrase "song of Moses" in Rev 15:3a is a genitive of possession? Yes, for none of the phrases in this song are about Moses, but about his God. This is Moses' song of deliverance about the Lord. It is what he sang.
Did Yeshua Have a Song Too? Of course, yes. We see in Matthew 26:30 that Yeshua sang salvation praise hymns— Passover Hallels—to God. The pattern is laid down. The gospel accounts tell us of an incident when Yeshua "was filled with joy of the Holy Spirit" and "rejoiced greatly...and said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth' " (Luke 10:21; Matt 11:25). [Top] Yeshua did have joy—expressed publically—in front of fellow Jews around him, he exclaimed with passion his love for and thankfulness to his Father. The author of Hebrews ascribes to Yeshua the words of a soaring passage from the Psalms: I will proclaim your name to my brethren, (The Greek for "sing praise" is hymneo: literally, "I will hymn You." Many readers will recognize that this verse occurs after the dreadful opening cry in verse 1: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" So the affirmation of faith in verse 22 is startling in that sense. Or is it? Given the entire history of Yeshua's relation to his Father, and his knowledge that his abandonment on the cross would be temporary, relatively speaking. For after his death he would reenter the presence of God. So it would not surprise us that Yeshua would sing a hymn of praise to God for delivering him from the grave? John hears a deliverance hymn sung by both Yeshua and Moses. [Top] In essence, the "Song of the Lamb" in Revelation 15:3-4 is Yeshua's victory hymn. It is his own testimony about what God had done for him. He raised him to life then seated him "at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb 1:3). His Song also alludes to what the Father will do through him in redeeming the nations ("for all the Gentiles will come and worship before you"; v. 4). This song is not about Yeshua. It is his own song offered to his Father, who is "Lord God the Almighty" (v. 3). [Top]
Yeshua Joins Moses
That's the point. Messiah's martyrs join him in singing his song because he too—though he also died at the hands of the great Beast—came back to life because of God's grace and power. That's their hope too: that God will raise them as well. Yeshua laid down an example for his followers by linking his experiences with those of previous generations of God's people. In so doing, he teaches future generations where the anchors of their souls truly lay: [Top]
The Singer is Also Praised
The Hallel's of Yeshua and the Song of the Lamb (the slain Messiah) become one. And because he laid down his life, he himself becomes the object of praise songs, along with God. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.... To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion for ever and ever." (Rev 5:12,13) [Top]
Revelation 15:3-4 echoes the following passages:
Ps 92:5 — How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep.
Ps 111:2 — Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them.
Ps 139:14 — I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works and my soul knows it very well.
Deut 32:4 — The Rock! His work is perfect, for all his ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is he.
Exod 15:11 — Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?
Ps 86:9 — All nations whom you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord; and they shall glorify your name.
Mal 1:11 — "For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to my name, and a grain offering that is pure; for my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts.
Ps 144:17 LXX (Eng 145:17) — The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Ps 98:2 — The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
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Hebrew-Greek Transliteration [PDF]
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