Does Moses deserve a Grammy?

I. M. Koen
Sep 30
4 min read

Wall with framed gold and platinum records displayed in a grid pattern, reflecting light in a museum or award setting. — Photo by Uwe Conrad on Unsplash

Every generation has its songwriters. The Beatles captured the spirit of the ’60s, the Rolling Stones gave voice to rebellion, and Elton John wrapped raw emotion in unforgettable melodies. Elvis. Dylan. Bieber. The Macarena.

I bet an artist just popped into your mind.

But long before Mozart or rock ’n’ roll, Moses — the reluctant leader of Israel — penned songs that have outlasted them all. His lyrics of praise, warning, and prayer still echo across the centuries, reminding us that music is more than just entertainment. It’s a way of telling the most profound truths about God, humanity, and hope. There are 66 Bible verses mentioning music in heaven.

A Song of Victory (Exodus 15)

No one had more reason to sing than Israel after escaping Egypt. They had just watched God do the impossible: plagues that brought a superpower to its knees, a pillar of fire, a sea split in two, and Pharaoh’s army crushed in a single moment. When they stepped onto dry ground on the far side of the Red Sea, Moses led the people in the Bible’s first recorded song of praise.

He declared:

“The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” (Exodus 15:2)

Moses reminded the people that their God had no equal:

“Who is like You among the gods, Lord? Who is like You — majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)

And as if to warn the nations ahead of them, Moses proclaimed that God would defend His people again:

“The people have heard, they tremble… all the inhabitants of Canaan have despaired.” (Exodus 15:14–16)

The song ended with Miriam, Moses’ sister, leading the people in a resounding chorus:

“Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.” (Exodus 15:21)

This wasn’t just music — it was a declaration that God saves.

A Song of Warning (Deuteronomy 32)

But Israel’s story wasn’t all celebration. They grumbled, rebelled, and doubted, even after seeing God’s power firsthand. Because of this, an entire generation wandered in the wilderness until it died out. Moses himself would never step into the Promised Land. Before handing leadership over to Joshua, Moses wrote one final song, both as a reminder and a warning. (Actually, God wrote it. Moses penned it and probably put it to music. Deuteronomy 31:19)

The song begins by exalting God’s name:

“For I proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just.” (Deuteronomy 32:3–4)

Moses reminded Israel that their entire story was built on God’s care and provision. But he didn’t soften the reality of their failures:

“You forgot the Rock who fathered you and forgot the God who gave you birth.” (Deuteronomy 32:18)

Still, even in warning, there was hope:

“For the Lord will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees their strength is gone.” (Deuteronomy 32:36)

This song was meant to be repeated and remembered:

“Remember the days of old… ask your father and he will inform you, your elders, and they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7)

Moses wanted Israel to carry their history and God’s faithfulness into the future.

A Song of Prayer (Psalm 90)

Tucked among David’s psalms is one by Moses: Psalm 90. Unlike the other two, this isn’t a song of victory or warning; it’s a prayer.

Moses reflected on God’s eternal nature:

“For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by.” (Psalm 90:4)

That reality led him to pray:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

Even in the hard seasons, he asked God for joy:

“Satisfy us in the morning with Your graciousness, that we may sing for joy and rejoice all our days.” (Psalm 90:14)

This psalm is deeply personal. It’s a reminder that life is short and challenging, but God is eternal. The best use of our days is to live them in His presence.

Why Songs Still Matter

The Bible isn’t a hymnbook, but it contains nearly two hundred songs. Some are worship for the whole community, others are private prayers, laments, or love songs. Together, they show the full range of human experience with God: joy, grief, confession, confusion, celebration, and instruction.

Moses’ three songs capture this perfectly: praise (Exodus 15), warning (Deuteronomy 32), and prayer (Psalm 90). They remind us that songs do more than express emotion. They teach. They help us remember. They pass on truth from one generation to the next. And they still invite us to lift our voices today.

We may no longer know the melodies, but the words remain. And through them, Moses still leads us to praise, to remember, to pray, and to anchor our lives in the God who never changes.

Should you learn the song of Moses? Absolutely! Because if you make it through the tempestuous closing of this present age, you will be using your golden pipes. This is what John saw:

“I saw something like a sea made of glass, the glass all shot through with fire. Carrying harps of God, triumphant over the Beast, its image, and the number of its name, the saved ones stood on the sea of glass. They sang the Song of Moses, servant of God; they sang the Song of the Lamb:” Revelation 15: 2–3