The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength-Part 1

The Joy of the Lord is our Strength-Part 1 

In Nehemiah 8:7 – 12, it states: "Also Jeshua, and Bani and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hadijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand [995, biyn, to separate or distinguish mentally] the law; and the people stood in their place.  So they read [7121, qara, call out, proclaim] the book in the law of God distinctly, [6567, parash, to separate, to specify, to declare, show] and gave the sense [7922, sekel, success, discretion, understanding], and caused them to understand [995, see above] the reading.  [4744, miqra, something called out, a rehearsal].  And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha (governor), and Ezra the priest, the scribe, and the Levites that taught [995 see above] the people said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep.  For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 

In these verses we see that the Levite musicians who taught the people distinctly the sense of the Torah caused the people to understand God’s word.  I believe that all this elaborate use of words like understand, reading, distinctly giving the sense, causing the people to understand, teaching the people, refers to more than a mere talking or saying of Scripture.  I believe the Levite musicians sang or cantilated the Scripture to the people.  The people left the meeting with great joy because they understood the Torah.  The Levite musicians taught, sang, cantilated the word of God to the congregation with Joy for the joy of the LORD was their strength.

            I believe that one of the greatest things about joyful singing of the word of Jehovah is that it causes the congregation to remember and understand God’s precepts. Joyful singing and playing of  God's word is therefore one of the most valuable and profound forms of sacred music.