Sefer HaMiddot, Song/ספר המדות·נגינה

1When the fame of the Tzaddikim spreads in the world, new songs are composed.

2The Levites had a particular song for each day of the week. Nowadays, being in exile, we no longer remember these tunes. Yet whenever some tragedy befalls any nation, it revives the particular tune of the Levites that countered this misfortune.

3Tunes that contain the sound of weeping have the ability to free captives, as in, “Motzee asirim bakosharote (He releases prisoners at the most opportune times)” (Psalms 68:7). [The word bakosharote can be read as a compound of be’khy and sheerote—weeping and songs].

4From the songs a person sings one can tell if he has dedicated himself to Torah study.

5Drinking rouses a person to sing and play musical instruments, whereas eating does not. This is because [in the wilderness] the Jewish people sang the praise of God over the well, but not over the manna.