Music and Songs of Praise

O. T. #918  "Music and Songs of Praise"
Feb. 2, 2017
1 Chronicles 25


LET IT GLOW

What would it be like without music? It is such a huge part of my life during the day. My radios are set on a local Christian station. I am juking in the car, singing in my heart praises to my Savior. How about you?

David was the sweet psalmist of Israel and established music as a central feature in the worship of God. (2 Sam.23:1) David's three ministers of music were Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, as mentioned in chapter 6. They prophesied, which was not necessarily in a revealing sense, but the sense of proclamation and exhortation through the lyrics of their music (verses 2,3).

Prophesying is not necessarily predicting the future or even speaking direct revelation. It is  proclaiming truth to the people and music is a vehicle for such proclamation in praise. David and his leaders selected those most capable of leading the people to worship God through their music.  (MacArthur)

When there was prophesy of God's future for His people, it was through divine command through His prophets Nathan and Gad. In 2 Chronicles 29:25, we read of Gad being King David's seer and prophet (2 Sam. 23:11) and Nathan his prophet (2 Sam. 12:1).

Seer is a term used to describe a prophet in that he knew and understood the ways and will of God.

Do we know and understand the ways and will of God for our life? If not, are we seeking it? If so, are we faithfully doing it?


LET IT GROW

Have you figured out that music was an important component in worship during David's day? Music instruments used are mentioned here-horns, cymbals, psalteries,  harps. Those men trained, skilled, and taught in music was 288. There were 24 divisions, plus 11 Levites per divisions. Unskilled musicians were 4,000 in number. A master musician taught them. Apparently, David established a music school of sorts to develop those unskilled and prepare them for serving in worship services.
Lots were cast again to determine when each division would serve. They are mentioned in order of their service in the rest of the chapter.

LET IT GO

Praise the Lord with music.

Sing to the Lord a new song. (I like to sing my own words as the Christian music plays on the radio.)