The LORD will once again be merciful to his people Israel and choose them as his own. He will let them live in their own land again, and foreigners will come and live there with them.

Many nations will help the people of Israel return to the land which the LORD gave them, and there the nations will serve Israel as slaves. Those who once captured Israel will now be captured by Israel, and the people of Israel will rule over those who once oppressed them.

The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took her tambourine, and all the women followed her, playing tambourines and dancing.

Miriam sang for them: "Sing to the LORD, because he has won a glorious victory; he has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea."

I am already eighty years old, and nothing gives me pleasure any more. I can't taste what I eat and drink, and I can't hear the voices of singers. I would only be a burden to Your Majesty.

(SEE 7:66)

The singers are in front, the musicians are behind, in between are the young women beating the tambourines.

young women and young men, old people and children too.

Let them all praise the name of the LORD! His name is greater than all others; his glory is above earth and heaven.

I also piled up silver and gold from the royal treasuries of the lands I ruled. Men and women sang to entertain me, and I had all the women a man could want.

The LORD Almighty said, "Think about what is happening! Call for the mourners to come, for the women who sing funeral songs."

The people said, "Tell them to hurry and sing a funeral song for us, until our eyes fill with tears, and our eyelids are wet from crying."

Then Jesus went into the official's house. When he saw the musicians for the funeral and the people all stirred up,