Wisdom in Sacred Song

בספר קול שמחה כתב דבר נאה על מ"ש במדרש פיה פתחה בחכמה על השירה כו'.

“In the book Kol Simchah he wrote a fine teaching on what the Midrash says, ‘She opens her mouth with wisdom,’ regarding the Song, etc.”

The Sefat Emet cites a teaching explaining that the verse in Proverbs is applied by the Midrash to the Song at the Sea.

כי כל דבר חכמה הוא בסוף כשנשמע החכמה שבהמאמר.

“For every matter of wisdom is recognized only at the end, when the wisdom within the statement becomes heard.”

Ordinary wisdom reveals itself only after the full idea is expressed and its depth becomes apparent.

אבל שירה ניכר החכמה בתחילת פתיחת הפה בשמחה ודפח"ח.

“But in song, the wisdom is recognized at the very opening of the mouth, in joy and vitality.”

Song expresses inner wisdom instantly; the spiritual intention is felt immediately as the singer begins.

ויש להוסיף על דבריו כי זה פי' הפסוק פיה פתחה בחכמה שע"י החכמה שהי' להם לשיר ולזמר לפניו ב"ה נפתח להם הפה לשיר שירה כזו שהוא ע"י רוה"ק ששרתה עליהם ע"י הכנה והרצון לשורר לפניו ב"ה.

“And one may add to his words that this is the meaning of the verse ‘She opens her mouth with wisdom’: through the wisdom they possessed—to sing and make melody before the Blessed One—their mouths were opened to sing such a song, which came through the Holy Spirit that rested upon them through their preparation and desire to sing before Him.”

The Sefat Emet adds that their song flowed from divine inspiration, which rested upon them because they prepared themselves and desired to sing before God.

וי"ל שזה פי' ישיר כו' לאמר כי ההכנה והרצון לשיר לפניו ב"ה נרצה ונתקבל לפני הקב"ה יותר מגוף השירה:

“And one may say that this is the meaning of ‘Then he shall sing… saying’: that the preparation and desire to sing before the Blessed One is more favored and accepted before the Holy One than the song itself.”

Their inner readiness and longing to praise God was even more precious than the actual words they sang.

Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that wisdom in song appears instantly, for song arises from joy and divine inspiration. The Israelites’ preparation and desire to sing were the true source of their song, and this inner readiness was even more beloved by God than the song itself.