1 Chronicles 25:1-3 - David, together with the commanders of
the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman
and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying,
accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the
men who performed this service: From the sons of
Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the
supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision.
David did more for worship than just organize the priests
that would offer sacrifices and offerings….he organized 24 more groups of
Levites to bring true praise to the temple at all times. He organized them into a ministry of prophecy
and singing praise to God accompanied by musical instruments. During their service in the temple…they wrote
many of the psalms we find mixed with David’s great works.
Heman is credited with writing Psalms 88….one of the sadest songs
in the book of Psalms. It was written to
be sung …accompanied by the zither….cymbals and lyres …perhaps to remind us to
cry out to God day and night….no matter how bad our situation is ...no matter
how long he takes to answer our prayers.
Asaph is credited with more than one Psalm…his name appears before Psalm 50 and 73-83.
He spoke through the Holy Spirit…while instruments helped him focus on
Gods great love. His songs are all different….but seem to focus on how God
judges his people…and how we must find ways to follow all of Gods laws.
Jeduthun’s name does not appear on any Psalms to indicate he
contributed context…but David calls him his chief musician three times…and says
that Psalm 39….62…and 77 were ‘dedicated’ to him. David must have written those three psalms ...just
for his friend and appointed minister of music in the church.
The importance that David placed on the ministry of music in
the church reminds me how important music is to preparing our hearts and minds
for worship and praise. The melodies calm our stressed minds like David’s harp
soothed Saul’s troubled spirit. The words of the carefully chosen songs help
focus our minds and hearts on the needs of our souls. The music helps release our inhibitions….and
help us forget ourselves…and remember the real reason we came to worship in the
first place…to honor God and tell him how much we love and thank him for all he
does in our lives.
Maybe David’s reasons for organizing a music ministry need
to be revisited and refurbished in the church today. It seems his real reason
for establishing this in the temple was for all of us to learn to praise and
worship God on a more personal level. Like the words of Matthew Henry … “If
the Spirit of God does not put life and fervor into our devotions, they will,
however ordered, be a lifeless, worthless form.”
Father….thank you
for the music of David and his vision of how music can lead us into more
meaningful worship of God. Thank you for
recording so many of his works…and the works of his music leaders in Psalms. Help me to appreciate the music provided in
my church…and use it to release the stresses and worries I carry into the
church. Show me how to allow music to
soothe me when I am upset…and lift my soul to higher levels of love when I am
praising you and worshiping you. Amen.
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