“The “second Song of Moses” (Deuteronomy 32) was not given, even in its original context, as a worship song, but as a song of warning to the children of Israel. It was not given to be “sung to the Lord” but as stated in Deuteronomy 31.19-22 as a witness of the Lord speaking to His people, against them. It is clear from the Lord’s stated use of this song that it was never intended by Him to be a song “vertically oriented” that is, going up to Him as an offering of the lips (Hebrews 13.15) but a song of witness and warning from Him to His people.”^[1]

[J.D. Irons notes that two Psalms are attributed to Solomon and yet he wrote 1005 songs -1 Kings 4:32] “yet out of all the number two only are selected for a placed in the Psalter.”^[2] This demonstrates the peculiarity of the songs i.e. those chosen have good (divine) reason to be in the Psalter whereas others are left out in God’s wisdom.

Re: the songs in the book of Revelation “1. These songs are all inspired by the Spirit of God… Therefore these inspired songs can afford no ground whatever for the use of uninspired compositions in the worship of God. 2. They are sung almost exclusively by angels and glorified saints. 3. They are sung in heaven. Hence, they do not pertain to this world.”^[3]

“In biblical worship, it is the king who leads the congregation into worship, and it is the king’s own songs that the congregation sings with him. This principle is seen in the royal oversight of the hymn workshops of 1 Chronicles 25. It is also seen in the pattern of worship described throughout the Scripture (page 43)…. Hezekiah wrote this song (in Isaiah 38) to celebrate God’s healing from an illness. The king was near death, apparently because of sin. But he cried out for mercy, and God forgave his sins and restored his health. Hezekiah composed this praise and took it to the temple for all Israel to sing with him (vs. 20). Why would God’s mercy to deliver the king from death become the basis for all Israel to praise? From Adam to Jesus, Scripture shows us that God’s dealings with the head of his people is a mark of his disposition toward all the people. Hezekiah’s testimony about God’s mercy on him became the basis for the whole congregation to praise with him.”^[4]

See also Psalmody and Other Songs in Scripture

1. Ruddell, Todd. Comment on article: “Question #17: What about the other “songs” in the Bible? Is it ok to sing other inspired portions of Scripture?” Exclusive Psalmody (blog). Mark Koller, August 16, 2011 (7:06 a.m.). Web. January 23, 2016.
2. Irons, J.D. “The Psalms in the Old Testament Church” in The Psalms in Worship (1907), Edmonton: Still Waters Revival Books, 1992., page 97.
3. Moorehead, W.G. “The Psalms in the New Testament Church” in The Psalms in Worship (1907), page 117.
4. Lefebvre, Michael. Singing the Songs of Jesus. Rosshire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2010, pages 43 & 49.