The Cows That Sang While Carrying the Ark Back to Israel

"And the cows went straight" (I Samuel 6:12) — they went straight and they walked, walking in beauty. They would turn their faces toward the acacia-wood (Ark) and recite song. Which song did they recite? Rabbi Meir says: they recited the Song of the Sea. This is what is written, "They went along one highway, lowing as they went" (ibid.), and it is written, "I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously" (Exodus 15:1). Rabbi Yochanan said: "Sing to the LORD a new song" (Psalms 98:1). Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name" (Psalms 105:1). Rabbi Elazar said: "The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble" (Psalms 99:1). And the Rabbis say: "The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice" (Psalms 97:1). Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzchak said: the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel: If one of you had lost his hen, would he not search after it through how many alleyways until he brought it back? Yet My Ark wanders about in the field of the Philistines, and you do not concern yourselves over it! Even so, "His right hand and His holy arm have wrought salvation for Him" (Psalms 98:1). Elijah taught: Rise up, rise up, O acacia! Wave aloft, wave aloft in the abundance of your splendor, you who are inlaid with embroidered gold, you who are praised with the Ark and the chamber, you who are glorified with the two cherubim. Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman said: How greatly did the son of Amram (Moses) toil until he taught the Levites song — and you recite song of your own accord! May your strength be made firm.