There’s much more to the idea of singing our way to triumph than this story might first suggest.
The singers were in front of the army and, no doubt in rhythm with the left-right, left-right, of the march, were chanting the words, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever” (2 Chron 20:21). The Hebrew for “mercy” is hesed, and seems to be one of God’s favorite words, occurring about 250 times in the Old Testament. Like a refreshing cloudburst, it rains down on us a shower of beautiful ideas. Is it undeserved mercy, or kind favor, or steadfast love, or loyal care? The right answer seems to be “all of the above.” In any case, the singers didn’t wait till Jehoshaphat’s prayer was answered before their praise began. What would come down in merciful provision would return to God in meaningful praise. But as they sang, “the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir” (v 22). Take three different nations, arm them to the teeth, throw them into unknown territory, and what could possibly go wrong? The first to fall were the soldiers from Mount Seir. Perhaps the others imagined treachery, but whatever the case, “when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another” (v 23). We have to resist the devil and deal with the flesh, but let’s just leave the world alone. It carries the weapons of its own destruction. “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn 2:17). When Judah finally arrived, the battle was over. “No one had escaped” (2 Chron 20:24). All that was left was to gather up the spoils of war, “and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much” (v 25). Oh the spoils of Calvary’s combat! Gather them up! Then on to Berachah (meaning “benediction”) to praise Him all the more.