Salvation what does it mean? What are salvation songs?
The simple definition of salvation is to be rescued or delivered from peril. The Bible defines salvation as being saved by God from the consequences of sin, death, and Satan.
We are saved from something, by someone, and to something. We are saved from the threat of sin’s consequences, death, and judgement. God also can save us from addiction, bad relationships, and difficult circumstances, but that isn’t the deeper power of salvation. We are saved from God’s wrath and judgement because we are born in sin, we act sinful, and are sentenced to death. But wait...
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb!" Rev 7:9-10
...Thank God He sent someone to save us. We are saved by someone - Jesus. He is God’s agent sent to reveal and make a way of escape from our pending judgement. We “wait for his Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." 1 Thes 1:10 NIV. In the Old Testament, God the Father saved His people over and over. In the New Testament Jesus delivers us and He earns the title of “Our Lord and Savior.” “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim 1:15 NIV
However, we are also saved to something - God. Salvation is more than a clear conscience or a clean slate. It is more than having all the penalties and sentences against you dropped. We are saved, delivered, and set free, to be at peace and in relationship with God. “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom 5:1 NIV.
Now, doesn’t that make you want to sing, shout, and dance about? And that is exactly what happens when we realize the full ramifications of our salvation—people sing.
When God delivered His people from the largest and most advanced army in the world and brought them through the Red Sea, “Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, ‘I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.’” Ex 15:1-3. "Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. And Miriam sang this song: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.’” Ex 15:20-21 NLT
Here are five examples of "salvation songs" in the Bible—occasions when God delivered people of faith from perilous circumstances.
Deborah and Barak sang a song of victory in Judges 5:
David sang, and Saul was delivered from an evil spirit in 1 Sam 16:
King Jehoshaphat’s choir of singers sang, and their enemies were slaughtered delivering Israel from a certain death in 2 Chronicles 20:21-22.
In Acts, Paul and Silas sang, and an earthquake freed their chains, and a Roman guard along with his whole household were brought to salvation.
The theme continues in heaven where the redeemed sing of God’s great salvation in Rev 7:9-10. “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Most of these miracles in music came as believers sang before they were saved. They sang and proclaimed in faith their freedom and then salvation came.
I don’t know what circumstance you are going through but I want to encourage you to use your faith and sing of your salvation—what He has done in the past, yes. But declare in melody what He is about to do and by whom He will do it. I know of many acquaintances who are sick right now. Some are fighting for their lives and others have been saved from their pain-stricken bodies are now with the Lord. These are challenging times.
Let’s sing praise to Jesus our Lord and Savior who saves and keeps on saving despite our condition or circumstances. I love the lyrics of the song Living Hope by Phil Wickham. (see the video)
Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me You have broken every chain There's salvation in your name Jesus Christ, my living hope