Ancient Systematic Musical Worship

Ancient Systematic Musical Worship

1Chronicles 16:4, “And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals…”

          In this chapter David brought the ark of God to the tent.  This ark was a symbol of the manifest presence of YHVH.  Mathew Henry said that, “This chapter concludes that great affair of the settlement of the ark in the royal city, and with it the settlement of the public worship of God during the reign of David.”  The establishment of Public worship in ancient Israel included both instrumental and vocal music.

           Public worship in ancient Israel has left us an ancient landmark of musicing to God.  Although I could spend the next month talking about the significance of this use of music in public worship, I will try to just touch on one main aspect of this public worship.  The simple point of this devotional today is that the Levite musicians were appointed to systematically lead the people in worship by recording, thanking and praising.

          Christian musicians would do well to pattern their musicing unto God after this ancient example of music in public worship.  First, their musicing caused the people to record (zakar 2142) –to remember what God had done for them.  Second, some of the musicians were appointed to cause the worshipers to thank (yada 3034)—to revere YHVH God without-stretched hands.  Third, others were set apart to lead the people in musical praise (halal 1984)—to make a show or boast in the Lord.  Remember that in ancient public in Israel, the people were led systematically by the worship music.  They remembered, then revered with physical response and then they were led in the public act of praise.

Prayer for the Day

This is truly a day that You have provided for us Lord.  I confess to You that when I talk to you I complain much more than I praise.  Thank You Lord for delivering me out of the horrible pit of sin and musical noise and putting a new song of renovated character in my mouth.  Lord I lift up my hands and my thoughts to extol You for all You have done and for who You are.  I praise your name because You are mighty to deliver and You are also slow to anger with me.  Please accept my feeble words of praise and my song about Your everlasting love.  This I pray to You.  Amen.

Song for the Day  “Praise Him, Praise Him” by Fanny Crosby